Dalton Schultz Reveals Role C.J. Stroud Played In Texans Return

Dalton Schultz signed a three-year $36 million deal to stay with the Houston Texans and revealed the crucial role C.J. Stroud played in his decision.

Dalton Schultz recently inked a three-year, $36 million contract extension with the Houston Texans under DeMeco Ryans' leadership. 

Shultz spent his first five seasons in Dallas, where players live in a veritable fishbowl on the most popular team in the NFL. The 27-year-old admitted some apprehension about changing teams last offseason, unsure about how other clubs operate, but he's pleased with how things turned out.

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) celebrates receiving a pass against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 :: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

In 2023, Schultz made a significant impact in his debut season with the team, forming a strong connection with quarterback C.J. Stroud. Their chemistry played a crucial role in the Texans' success, leading to an AFC South title and a playoff victory in the first round.

“C.J.’s quickly cemented himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the league,” Schultz said. “Talking to C.J., the amount of belief and trust he has in himself, the way he carries himself, he does special things. That was a big part of me wanting to come back. I wanted to surround myself with guys like that. Guys that galvanize a football team, and I think he absolutely does that. It’s a great time to be a Texan and I’m super excited that I’m back.”

Schultz had a productive season, recording 59 receptions for 635 yards and five touchdowns, placing him among the team's top contributors alongside Nico Collins and Tank Dell.

“When you see a quarterback that’s able to make every single throw again and again and again, and stay humble about it and realize he’s not quite there,” Schultz said. “Through all the success he was having, he kept going back to, ‘How can I get better, though?’”

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Stroud's historical season earned him the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just five interceptions.

Schultz also expressed confidence in the team and coaching staff, indicating optimism for Houston's prospects in 2024 with Stroud leading the way.