Texans OC breaks down what went into evaluating C.J. Stroud vs. Bryce Young during draft process

Heading into last year’s NFL Draft, there was plenty of discussion about Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud would be the best option at No. 1. Houston offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik recently peeled back the curtain as to what went into the evaluation process.

Carolina took Young with the first selection and Houston grabbed Stroud at No. 2. So far, it’s worked out much better for the Texans, sitting at 3-3 through the first six games. The Panthers are the last team in the NFL without a win, owning an 0-6 record.

This week, the two teams go head-to-head on Sunday, prompting the questions about the evaluation process between Stroud and Young.

“Both jump out to you as competitors,” Slowik said, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC. “The grit they would show in person and the want, on Zooms and 30 visits, they would do whatever it takes to make sure the organization they would go to would be a winning organization. Both took pride in the huddle in making the other guys better. You couldn’t miss those things.”

#Texans OC Bobby Slowik on evaluating C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young in draft process: 'Both jump out to you as competitors. The grit they would show in person and the want, on Zooms and 30 visits, they would do whatever it takes to make sure the organization they would go to would…

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 26, 2023

Essentially, Slowik said there was no wrong selection with the two quarterbacks. Right now, it just seems that Stroud has better weapons around him than does Young.

Stroud has thrown for 1,660 yards and nine touchdowns with just one interception through six games. He’s not made many major mistakes in games, a good sign for a young quarterback.

Young has flashed some potential, too, although those moments haven’t resulted in any wins. He’s piled up 967 yards and six touchdowns with four picks.

The two rookie quarterbacks meet on Sunday with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET on FOX.

C.J. Stroud rooting for Bryce Young Sunday

Stroud and Young might be wearing different jerseys on Sunday, but that doesn’t mean they want to see each other fail. Obviously, both want to win the game, but Stroud says he wants Young to perform well throughout the season.

“Honestly and personally, watching the film and watching every game of his, I don’t think in any way, aspect, or form, he’s playing bad,” Stroud said during a presser. “That’s what people think if you’re not winning or you have a turnover here or there. Bryce is playing some really good football. I just don’t think people watch in depth — like if you’re a quarterback, you know. I think he’s playing really well.

“Of course, there’s always things you can clean up. I can clean up a lot of things. I’m not here to be his coach — I’m here just to support. We texted a couple of weeks ago, just checking in on each other and it was nothing about football. That’s not our relationship, but personally, I think he’s playing well and I think he’ll continue to be great in this game because he has that swagger and mentality and that type of playing style.”