C.J. Stroud isn’t looking to become a feel-good story that disappears into the shadows after one season. He’s ready to show the world that the Houston Texans are in business come next fall.
Stroud, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, is poised to lead Houston back to the postseason and perhaps to the franchise’s first conference title appearance. The supporting cast is there. So is the offensive play-calling.
What’s missing? Maybe another year of development where teams are better prepared for what he offers? Perhaps a bit of luck getting through a rigorous and uphill schedule? The good news for Stroud is that he’ll still have Nico Collins and Tank Dell to throw to.
If that wasn’t enough, the Texans added Pro Bowlers Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon to the offense as upgrades at WR No. 3 and running back, respectively. And just to cushion his production, Houston brought back Dalton Schultz on a three-year extension as a security blanket across the middle.
Behind Stroud is Davis Mills, who has 18 starts under his belt since being drafted out of Stanford in 2021. Case Keenum is back for another year and already has made history with Diggs during his time in Minnesota. Maybe Stroud and the four-time Pro Bowler could emulate a ‘Houston Heave’ that mirrors the ‘Minneapolis Miracle’ by the time the postseason comes around?
ESPN’s Mike Clay has released his 2024 projections, including ranking every quarterback room in the NFL. Where does Houston’s QB room rank among the rest of the league? Let’s a look: