Texans Owner Shuts Down C.J. Stroud–NFL Draft Rumor

Houston is trying to turn the page after three straight 12-loss seasons.

The Texans' selection of quarterback C.J. Stroud in the NFL draft’s first round appeared to signal a new direction for the franchise. Finally, after years of dysfunction, the league’s youngest team appeared to be turning a corner.

However, some suggested that there was a catch to Houston’s selection. Rumors flew that team owner Cal McNair mandated the Texans pick Stroud with the draft’s No. 2 pick, demanding a quarterback-first strategy after Houston boasted some of the NFL’s worst quarterback play a year ago.

McNair quashed those rumors at the Texans’ charity golf outing on Monday.

“Hannah [McNair’s wife] and I don’t make the picks. We’ll make it clear there,” McNair said. “We have a great group of scouts led by [general manager] Nick [Caserio] and James Lippert … and they moved up when they saw the value was there and moved back.”

Houston went 3-13-1 last season, its third consecutive season with 12 or more losses. The Texans replaced coach Lovie Smith with DeMeco Ryans in the offseason, picked Stroud as their next franchise quarterback and traded up to take defensive end Will Anderson Jr. with the No. 3 pick. 

"I think it's a better roster this year, very competitive," McNair said. "They want to have competition spots on the roster. So, I see a lot of progress. A lot of good things."