DeMeco Ryans reflects on impressive rookie season for C.J. Stroud

Texans QB C.J. Stroud took the league by storm this year with his rookie season in Houston. His potential now represents what the future can be for Houston, especially since DeMeco Ryans knows that it’ll only be up from here after he already set a very high bar in year one.

Ryans spoke highly of his first-year starter during a press conference on Monday after the Texans’ season came to an end against the top-seeded Ravens during the AFC Divisional Round. He noted the growth from Stroud as the highlight from the season as it proves how great he can eventually be as he continues to add on to his game and career.

“From where we started our first game of the season and how he grew? As a player, as a leader with our team? Like, it’s encouraging,” said Ryans. “When you have a young guy who’s able to grow? Not only in the entire season but to see him take the coaching points and grow from week to week and see a guy improve so quickly? It’s encouraging to see how much better he can get as he continues to play throughout the league.”

Stroud completed 63.9% of his throws this season for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. That’s even more impressive considering three of the picks came in a single game against Arizona. He threw just two others combined in his other 16 outings to start his professional career.

That production was good for the eighth-most passing yards in the entire NFL. It also put him with over 1,200 more passing yards and twice as many touchdowns as the next closest rookie quarterback.

Stroud’s breakout was part of the Texans’ successful year as they posted their best record in five years. He helped lead them to a division title in the AFC South with a 10-7 finish in the regular season. That sent the franchise into the postseason for the first time since 2019.

In the AFC Wild Card against Cleveland, Stroud shined again against one of the league’s best defense. He completed 16-21 (76.2%) passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-14 victory. Then, this past weekend, his year came to an end at M&T Bank Stadium. He completing 57.6% of his passes for 175 yards and no scores in a 24-point loss to Baltimore on Saturday.

With the statistics he put up and records he broke this season, Stroud could be well on his way to securing the Rookie Of The Year. However, his future development is what matters in Houston as the Texans realize what they have in their hands in the form of their No. 2 pick from last year.

“That’s one thing that I’m all about is growth,” Ryans said. “The more we grow and the better we become? The better our chances are of winning a ton of football games.”