Jerrod Johnson’s playing career was ending, and the son of a former high school football coach was transitioning into the family business.
He was helping at the Elite 11 – a competition for the nation’s top high school quarterbacks—when he came across a 17-year-old, three-star recruit eager to learn and improve.
The kid was C.J. Stroud.
Johnson, who enters his second season as Houston Texans quarterbacks coach, recalled the experience as a guest on The Athletic’s ‘Playcallers’ podcast.
Jerrod Johnson had a front-row seat to watch C.J. Stroud blossom in the NFL.
What moment did he know the No. 2 overall pick would be special?
More, with @JourdanRodrigue, in ‘The Playcallers’ Bonus Batch ⤵️https://t.co/8k963ph1wA
— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) August 7, 2024
“Even at 17 when he came in, I don’t think he had much formal quarterback training (and) he wasn’t the highest-rated kid there for a week,” Johnson said. “But he just bought into our entire process. He stayed after, he asked questions, and he was just an eager 17-year-old who just wanted to get somewhere, wanted to chase his dreams, and he felt there was a lot of information there throughout that camp.”
Stroud went on to win MVP of the camp and soon after received a scholarship to Ohio State. Over his two seasons as the Buckeyes’ starter, he’d become one of the nation’s most prolific passers, leading to the Texans drafting him second overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
“To meet him again as a young man, I do think us having a respect for each other and the time we met when we both were younger kind of broke the ice for us,” Johnson said. “I think there was a trust level, a mutual respect for each other that allowed us to hit the ground running.”
Johnson likely doesn’t get the credit he deserves for prepping Stroud week-to-week en route to winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Stroud combined explosiveness with ball security, ranking second in yards per completion (12.9) and first in interception rate (1.0).
C.J. Stroud is the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Here’s why, courtesy of his teammates: pic.twitter.com/KI15YfARlb
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) February 9, 2024
It is regarded as one of the best seasons by a rookie quarterback in NFL history, as Houston finished 10-7 to win the AFC South and its first playoff game in four years.
“I think that Tampa Bay game is one that is forever ingrained in my brain,” Johnson said. “That’s a true sign of character and a true sign of his skillset, and that was kind of the aha moment to where he’s a legitimate NFL quarterback that can take us places we’d like to go.”
Stroud engineered a six-play, 75-yard drive with under a minute on the clock, connecting with Tank Dell at the six-second mark for a 15-yard touchdown to lift Houston over the Buccaneers, 39-37.
ITS OVER!! CJ STROUD GAME WINNER TO TANK DELL 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/vXhuD0QQLD
— Jordan Pun (@Texans_Thoughts) November 5, 2023
The win moved Houston to 4-4 and kicked off a 6-3 finish to the year, pushing it into the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
Perhaps influenced by the contest, Tampa Bay interviewed Johnson for its offensive coordinator role after Dave Canales accepted the Carolina Panthers head coaching job.
He also interviewed with the New Orleans Saints but elected to follow the same approach Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who received head coaching interviews, and to return to Houston.
They’ll get the chance to work with Stroud and an improved supporting cast, and with another season like the last, they could be elsewhere in an elevated role.
It’s the price to pay as a good football team, but one the Texans will pay willingly.
