C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans were one of the NFL’s biggest surprises this season, winning the AFC South and beating the Cleveland Browns in Wild Card Round.
Houston’s season came to an end in Baltimore on Saturday, as the Texans were shut down by the top-seeded Ravens’ formidable defense. Despite the setback, the future seems bright in H-Town.
That’s the message that Stroud had for his fellow first-round rookie Will Anderson, who was in tears following the loss.
“Will Anderson Jr. said he was crying after the game. He said C.J. Stroud wasn’t. Stroud looked at Anderson and told him, ‘We’re good. We’re going to be good next year,'” tweeted Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. “Anderson said, he wiped his own tears away after that. “Cap said we’re going to be good. We’re good.'”
Will Anderson Jr. said he was crying after the game. He said C.J. Stroud wasn’t. Stroud looked at Anderson and told him, “we’re good. We’re going to be good next year.”
Anderson said, he wiped his own tears away after that. “Cap said we’re going to be good. We’re good.”
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) January 22, 2024
While Stroud stressed a positive outlook in his interaction with Anderson, he admitted postgame that he felt his standout rookie season was “a fail.”
“Where I come from in college, if you don’t win it all it’s a fail, so that’s the mindset I have,” Stroud said.
Still, the Ohio State product has a right to be optimistic after turning in possibly the greatest season by a rookie quarterback in league history.
Stroud led the league in interception rate and passing yards per game, finishing the year with 4,108 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions in 15 games.