C.J. Stroud discloses his early offseason schedule | Report..

C.J. Stroud is eager to get some rest.

 

 

After the last four months on the football field, he deserves a few days off. If one were to go back in time, the last ten years would be the youth football camps he attended as a child in Rancho Cucamonga, California.

Since the Houston Texans drafted him second overall in April to serve as the team’s face, Stroud hasn’t stopped moving. Stroud has been busy, whether it’s studying the playbook, forming connections, or getting in better shape so he can return the following week.

 

It’s time to relax now.

“I’m 22 years old, and this is my first time ever having freedom away from school, away from college,” Stroud said Monday during exit meetings. “I’m excited. But at the same time, just like I’m ready to relax, I’m ready to get back to work, too. But I have to take some time to myself. It’s just the right thing to do.”
Stroud’s work ethic won’t keep him away from tossing passes with receivers for long. He’ll unwind, regroup, and be back to work sooner than anyone expects.
It’s common in the league for players to take a step back and admire the job well done. Veteran quarterback Case Keenum called it a “mental “recharge, something everyone must do after for their mental state.
Once the moment is over, it’s right back to work, an area that’s become clockwork for Stroud over the past four seasons between Ohio State and Houston.
“With C.J., just him having the mindset that he has to continue to grow, continue to get better – that’s everything,” said Texans coach DeMeco Ryans. “And we’ll continue to support him, surround him with the right people to help him reach his potential.”

Everything moving forward for Houston is about bettering Stroud, who’s coming off arguably the greatest rookie season in league history. He became one of five passers to throw for 4,000-plus yards during their rookie season. He became the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game, and the first rookie since Mark Sanchez in 2009 to accomplish the feat in a victory over the Cleveland Browns.
Stroud made magic in 2023. Houston won 11 combined games between 2020-2022. The franchise went through three head coaches, four different quarterbacks, and a slew of injuries that dragged expectations to rock bottom.
Even in Saturday’s 34-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the feeling among players in the locker room Monday was optimistic. Houston is trending upward entering the offseason, and it’s largely due to Stroud and Ryans’ arrival.

“The future is bright here,” said running back Devin Singletary. “Look out for the Texans next year.”
Stroud, who joined Tom Brady and Joe Montana as the third quarterback to lead the NFL in passing yards per game (273.9) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (23-to-5), will be back here soon. He’s not looking for regression, but only progression entering Year 2.
Rookie receiver Tank Dell, who was sidelined down the postseason stretch with a broken fibula, mentioned how the loss at M&T Bank Stadium “motivated C.J. tremendously.”
Stroud looks at it a different way. Despite the “chip on the shoulder” mantra carrying weight throughout the regular season, Stroud says that’s just him being himself.

With his rookie season complete, it’s time for Stroud to unravel. Even if it’s just for a week, it’s best to enter “reset mode.” When he returns, it’s time to accomplish a new goal.
One that doesn’t have “rookie” attached to the word “top” regarding the quarterback position.
“I want to be the best, point blank, period,” said Stroud. “I’m excited to get going with that.”

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