'Seven is the Guy!' QB C.J. Stroud 'Best Thing To Happen' To Texans?

By defeating the Jaguars, the Houston Texans won their first game with quarterback C.J. Stroud, who is having a historic start to his pro career.

Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud is off to a historic start. Stroud led the Houston Texans to their first win of the 2023 season in a 37-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday at TIAA Bank Field.

He finished the game by completing 20 out of 30 attempts for 280 yards and two touchdowns. One of Stroud's connections to the end zone came with 7:27 left in the second quarter after finding tight end Brevin Jordan with a four-yard pass attempt.

Jordan is one of a handful of players who have been with the Texans throughout their entire rebuild. His experience with the team has him believing that winning their final game of the 2022 season was the best thing to ever happen to the franchise. 

"That quarterback is unbelievable," Jordan said per KPRC Aaron Wilson. "I was just telling somebody on the sideline the best thing to happen to the Houston Texans was us beating the Indianapolis Colts last year in the last game of the season. Seven is the guy. We rock with him."

The Texans received the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft due to a Week 18 victory against the Colts. The consensus believed Houston would have thrown the game to wrap up the No. 1 pick.

Former wide receiver Brandin Cooks had his most impressive performance of the season, with 106 yards on five catches and a touchdown. 

Then starting quarterback Davis Mills connected with tight end Jordan Akins for a game-winning 28-yard touchdown.

The victory forced the Texans into drafting Stroud after the Carolina Panthers took Bryce Young via a trade with the Chicago Bears for the No. 1 pick in April.

Five months later, Stroud finished Week 3 by becoming the third player in NFL history to throw for at least 900 yards (906), joining Cam Newton (1,012) and Justin Herbert (931). While completing 64.4 percent of his passes, Stroud has also added four touchdowns with no interceptions.

Young finished the week sidelined with an ankle injury. The Panthers fell 37-27 in a road loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

"The sky's the limit for C.J.," coach DeMeco Ryans said. "He just keeps his head down and keeps working. C.J. is a very humble young man, and he's all about the team. That's how you become successful in this league. It's not about one person, C.J. understands that more than anyone else.

"He keeps his mindset the way it is, he'll continue to improve, get better, and be a really good quarterback in this league."

Ryans said Stroud has been dialed in since the two parties started working together during rookie mini-camp in May. The outcome has led to Stroud improving each week. Despite his production, the former Ohio State prospect has never been satisfied with his performances without a victory.

When the Texans fell to 0-2 on Sept. 17 to the Colts, Stroud refused to hang his head. He remained optimistic by turning an early season crisis into a favorable situation. Stroud's mindset was the same mentality that helped the Texans overcome their decision to not settle for the No. 1 pick. 

By extending their road-winning streak in Jacksonville to six, the Texans' 20-point win over the Jaguars was the first of many victories recorded with Stroud at the helm in Houston.

"Every week, I'm just trying to take a step forward and never back," Stroud said. "It's a battle every day. I'm getting a lot of learning experience, and I have a lot of great guys around me that are helping me. It's a blessing to play around guys like that. I'm learning. I'm growing. It's a testament to our coaches."