'Rookies of the Year!' Texans Coach DeMeco Ryans Campaigns For C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans believes his team should have the offensive and defensive Rookie of the Year this season.

The Houston Texans have enjoyed a turnaround season in 2023, and a large credit for that goes to their young talent on the field.

Not only is DeMeco Ryans in his first NFL head coaching job, but he also is leading a young roster complete with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and edge rusher Will Anderson. Following his team's blowout win over the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card round, Ryans campaigned for what he believes are the top two rookies in the league.

Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud (No. 7) quiets the huddle before a snap against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

“Nobody has said this, but we should have the offensive and defensive rookie of the year,” Ryans said after the game. “Both guys have stepped up big time for us, C.J. [Stroud] with the offense and Will on defense.”

These awards only take regular season stats into account, so the postseason performances by both players will not be considered, but they both had strong enough campaigns to be in the running for the honor.

Stroud finished eighth in the league's passing yards, 13th in passing touchdowns and had the lowest interception rate among qualified quarterbacks. This also came as he missed two games with a concussion. 

Anderson, by comparison, finished fourth among rookies with seven sacks and set a new Texans rookie record for sacks in the process.

Texans Open as Major Underdogs vs. Ravens in Divisional AFC Divisional Round

Houston also now knows its opponent for the Divisional Round of the postseason, and it will travel to face the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised on ESPN and ABC.