C.J. Stroud has been linked with Bryce Young since the 2021 Heisman Trophy Presentation. The two signal callers, whether friend or foe, will forever be mentioned together.
Young has notched another honor ahead of Stroud as the Carolina Panthers, who took him No. 1 overall, have named the former Alabama product their starting quarterback.
Stroud told reporters July 30 after Houston Texans training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center that he was pleased for the field general who went a spot above him in the 2023 NFL draft.
“Yeah, that’s my brother, man,” said Stroud. “I’m happy for him, but his situation is his situation, and my situation is mine.”
The situation Stroud finds himself in is a battle for the starting job with incumbent Davis Mills. The third-year product is not so willing to step aside to the No. 2 overall pick, and the coaching staff has rotated both quarterbacks with the starters throughout the first four days of camp.
While Young may have locked in his job, Stroud is not discouraged with his competition with Mills.
“I know that I’ve got to work on my end and do whatever I’ve got to do to make this team better,” Stroud said. “It’s not about [who is the] starter, who’s not the starter, it’s about getting better for Week 1 against Baltimore, so right now, we’re just building as a team, it’s not just about individuals.”
The last time the Texans had a rookie quarterback start on Opening Day was Sept. 8, 2002, when David Carr led Houston to a 19-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys at then-Reliant Stadium.