Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik wanted his rookie quarterback to get comfortable in the pocket from the first snap of the preseason game against the New England Patriots. He called a pass play for C.J. Stroud, which was executed perfectly with an eight-yard completion to wide receiver Nico Collins.
Not bad for his first play and completion in an NFL setting. It was his second pass of the game that he wishes he could have taken back. After being sacked for a 15-yard loss on one play and a scramble of four yards on the next, the Texans offense faced third-and-21, the first test of the No. 2 overall selection in the 2023 NFL draft.
Once he dropped back in the pocket, he stared at rookie wide receiver Tank Dell throughout his entire route, hoping to make a connection with him and keep the drive alive. The only problem was that Patriots safety Jalen Mills was watching Stroud watch Dell, and as soon as the ball was released, he broke on it and intercepted the pass.
“I talk to him here and there and let him know that it is ok to check the ball down to your safety (receiver), said Texans DB Desmond King when I asked about the progression of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. #Texans #Sarge @TheTexansWire pic.twitter.com/yZzYUur6HY
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) August 6, 2023
“Just trust my eyes,” said Stroud about the reason for the interception. “I saw a certain look to where I knew on film that they could run that to where the safety if his man blocks that he’ll come off and really be locked into my eyes. Just lost track of that and just forced it and should have just checked it down to Dalton.”
The check down would have been the better and safe play for Stroud, and it is one thing he will have to get better at. It is also the advice he has been given during training camp by his teammates on the other side of the ball.
“I talk to him here and there and let him know that it is okay to check the ball down to your safety (receiver),” said Texans defensive back Desmond King when asked about his rookie quarterback.
Stroud, the former two-time Heisman Trophy finalist at Ohio State, is very competitive, and he does not like to make mistakes that will cost his team. So, when Slowik and head coach DeMeco Ryans said that his night was done after two series, that did not sit well with him, knowing that his interception led to points for New England.
“It’s tough,” Stroud said to reporters after the game about not playing more. “I mean, the competitor in me was like, ‘Coach, let me go back out there; let me fix my wrongdoings.’ But it is just the preseason, and it’s a learning opportunity for myself, really, this whole football team. I want the play back, and I want to be perfect, but that is what this camp and preseason are for, just to make mistakes, so when it comes to the regular season, I don’t make those anymore.”
