Kosport Magazine’s Take:n
Houston Texans QB Stroud off to Explosive Start in Year 2
Kosport Magazine – The 2021 season was a breakout year for Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. He took the league by storm, achieving remarkable success in his first year as a rookie. Now entering his second season, Stroud is ready to take the league by storm once again.
In his rookie year, Stroud completed an impressive 63.9% of his passes while averaging 8.2 yards per attempt. He threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year, a Pro Bowl selection, and even finishing eighth in MVP voting.
But as we all know, the NFL is a “what have you done for me lately” league. And with the start of the new season just around the corner, all eyes will be on Stroud to see if he can replicate his impressive rookie numbers. But according to Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, Year 2 is when a quarterback’s career trajectory is truly set.
“Year 2 is a really, really impactful year for any quarterback,” Slowik said. “It’s a year where you get to hammer down the fundamentals and really grow within our offense. It’s a crucial time for Stroud, and he is all in and picking up right where he left off.”
One of the keys to Stroud’s success last season was the support around him. And the Texans have not rested on their success, adding star receiver Stefon Diggs, running back Joe Mixon, and drafting promising right tackle Blake Fisher. With a strong supporting cast, Stroud should have even better numbers this season, as long as the offensive line stays healthy.
As the years go by, quarterbacks typically take more control of the offense. However, according to Slowik, Stroud already had a voice in the offense last season and will continue to do so.
“Stroud had a lot of input last year as well,” Slowik said. “Now, it’s just about fine-tuning and making a few adjustments. But his role in the offense won’t change much from last season.”
As Stroud gains more experience, we can expect him to take on a bigger role in the offense, including setting protections and making play calls at the line of scrimmage. But as his impressive rookie season showed, Stroud is already advanced in these areas.
Kosport Magazine’s Take:
The Houston Texans have a star in the making with QB C.J. Stroud. After an explosive rookie debut, Stroud is ready to take on Year 2 with the same drive and determination. With a strong supporting cast and his own natural talent, Stroud is set to light up the league once again. Look out for him to make big plays and lead the Texans to another successful season.
