11 August 2023 , 18:37
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Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud asked his coaches to remain in the game after a difficult first performance in the NFL. Unofficially making his debut when he took to the field as the starting quarterback, Stroud struggled hugely as he threw a poor interception while completing just two passes for 13 passes.
The plan was always to keep Stroud in for the first quarter, with the team looking to ease in the second-overall draft pick from Ohio State. But after throwing the interception, Stroud had hoped to be put back into the game as he showed the competitive drive the Texans hope will see him become a huge success.
He told reporters after the game: "It’s tough. I mean, the competitor in me was like, ‘Coach, let me go back out there. Let me fix my wrongdoings.’ But like you said, it is just preseason. It’s a learning opportunity for myself and really this whole football team, and it was good to kind of see the second group in there."
That mindset has certainly aided Stroud get to where he is, being the second overall pick in a loaded quarterback draft class this past year. The 21-year-old had an incredibly successful two years as the Buckeyes starter - throwing 85 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions with a 21-4 record.
The Texans had been without a few starters, including their two offensive tackles, but did play a few player who will likely start on opening day of the season. Stroud is also looking to lock up his starting role and he'll know that he needs to cut down on the mistakes he made in the game, with him putting the interception down as a learning experience.
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CJ Stroud struggled on his debutStroud told reporters: "I saw a certain look to where I knew on film that they could run that to where the safety, if his man blocks that he’ll come off and really be locked into my eyes.
"Just lost track of that, and just forced it and should have just checked it down to Dalton. But it was a great play by Mills, by kind of just hiding out.
"He was kind of ducking low, so I didn’t really see him. I thought I threw a good pass, but of course it wasn’t. Hell of a play by No. 2, and just put that in my back pocket and learn from it."
After Stroud left the game, former starter Davis Mills came in and impressed - going 9-for-12 for 99 yards and a touchdown, with Case Keenum also performing well.