Texans Officially Name C.J. Stroud As Starting Quarterback Ahead of Week 1

The 2023 second overall pick will enter the season opener as QB1 on Sept. 10, according to first-year DeMeco Ryans.

On April 27, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud entered the NFL facing lofty expectations as the second overall pick.

Now, exactly four months removed from draft day, the rookie has officially claimed his spot atop Houston’s depth chart as the starting QB with the season opener looming on Sept. 10.

After starting all three of the Texans’s preseason games, Stroud, 21, was announced as QB1 by first-year Texans coach DeMeco Ryans following Sunday’s 17–13 road win over the Saints.

More: Conor Orr Predicts All 272 Games of the 2023 NFL Season

Stroud once again saw limited action, but the rising star steadied the ship for two series and finished the night 2-of-4 for 16 yards and his first touchdown of the preseason, which came courtesy of a three-yard pass to receiver Nico Collins.

In all, Stroud concluded Houston’s tune-up tilts a combined 11–for–20 for 88 yards and a TD.

With training camp and the preseason now in the books, Stroud and the Texans can focus their attention squarely on Week 1, where the former Ohio State standout will look to make a strong first impression against the Ravens in Baltimore.

CJ7. QB1. pic.twitter.com/K60OmHOFQT

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 28, 2023