Buckeyes Ex C.J. Stroud Signs Texans Rookie Contract

Once Bryce Young signed his deal with the Carolina Panthers as the No. 1 overall pick, Stroud wasn't far behind, and Stroud is reportedly "ahead of schedule," according to the Houston Texans' coaching staff.

Former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud was selected by the Houston Texans as the second overall pick in April's NFL Draft. The plan in Houston is for Stroud to lead the team into what's hoped to be the next era of relevance for Texans football.

And now that's one step closer to happening as Stroud signed his rookie contract ahead of Texans training camp. The deal is for four years, $36 million, and fully guaranteed.

Once Bryce Young signed his deal with the Carolina Panthers as the No. 1 overall pick, Stroud wasn't far behind. Stroud is reportedly "ahead of schedule," according to the Texans' new coaching staff. He's already impressed members like quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson and defensive coordinator Matt Burke with his knowledge, attention to detail, and willingness to correct mistakes instantly.

“His deliberateness and intent to try to get better — he’s literally grabbing everybody he can on the field,” Burke told reporters recently. “So, he’s been very sort of intentional about learning and just learning defense, too, like what did you call there, what was that coverage, or what did you do here? I respect that from him.”

Instead of waiting to go and watch the mistakes on film, Stroud went right to the source, walking back with the man who designed the concept to pick his brain on alignments and how the formation was set up prior to the snap.

That's been Stroud since the start of voluntary OTAs, per Burke. He's always asking questions, wanting to know a bit more about both sides of the playbook. “He’s literally grabbing everybody he can on the field,” Burke said.

Stroud, who spent two seasons captaining Ohio State's offense in Columbus, won't be promised the starting job for Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens. Davis Mills, the primary starter in both 2021 and 2022, still remains in the running entering Year 3 to start off the season under center. 

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