Despite being the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft, C.J. Stroud doesn’t feel as though he’s entitled to the Houston Texans’ starting quarterback job.
The former Ohio State star acknowledges that he’ll be getting time with both the No. 1 and No. 2 units as he enters an offseason quarterback battle with incumbent starter Davis Mills.
“I’m just trying to get better,” Stroud said after OTAs on Tuesday, via 247Sports. “It’s not about being with the ones, not about being with the twos. It’s about getting better. That’s what the spring is for. Just learning the plays, getting the timing down, learning my receivers. … It’s not about ones and twos right now. It’s about getting better as a whole. We’re getting ready for training camp.”
There’s no question that the Texans drafted Stroud with the intention of him at some point becoming their starting quarterback. But, this type of attitude heading into a rookie campaign is certainly admirable.
Mills, a former third-round pick, has started 26 games for the Texans over the last two seasons. The 24-year-old quarterback recently said he plans on making a strong push for the starting job over Stroud.
“I’m still competing for that starting job,” Mills said. “Since I’ve been drafted in the NFL, I’ve been in competition. I don’t think anything’s going to change.
“But it’s been great getting to know CJ so far. He’s an extremely hard worker. And it’ll be good to see how we go out there and compete every day and make each other better.”
The Texans also added veteran signal caller Case Keenum earlier this offseason.