C.J. Stroud said last week that he’s always willing to offer advice to the next crop of young quarterbacks following his breakout rookie season.
On Sunday, he extends a few wise words to Chicago Bears star Caleb Williams.
The Houston Texans quarterback embraced Williams following a 19-13 victory on Sunday Night Football. Despite a lackluster outing from the No. 1 overall pick, Stroud told him if he can learn to avoid the hits, the sky is the limit.
.@CJ7STROUD had some words of encouragement for @CALEBcsw.
"You're gonna be a hell of a player in this league." 🤝 pic.twitter.com/EkGCMOl0ew
— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2024
“Learn from those mistakes and everything that you got, bro, it’s in you already, bro,” Stroud told Williams. “You’re going to be one hell of a player in this league.”
Hits played a significant role in Sunday’s primetime outing. While Stroud was sacked four times, he also evaded five other pressures and completed three extra completions. The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year completed 23-of-36 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown to secure the franchise’s best start since 2016.
1️⃣8️⃣ 🤝 7️⃣
Bright futures ahead. @CJ7STROUD @CALEBcsw pic.twitter.com/oefktrH9fv
— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2024
Williams, a former Heisman Trophy winner, wasn’t so lucky. The Texans totaled seven sacks, and consistently was scrambling for his life in the second half. Williams was 3-of-12 for 15 yards and an interception when Houston blitzed.
He finished the evening 23-of-37 for 174 passing yards and two interceptions. Through two games, Williams has yet to throw his first touchdown pass, though Stroud still seems a bright future for the new man in command of the Windy City franchise.
”Everything that got you here is gonna take care of you in the long run. Don’t put your head down. Don’t let the hard time humble you… It’s not gonna be easy… You got picked at one for a reason."
C. J. Stroud on what he told Caleb Williams 🙌pic.twitter.com/UmjKNlgr1G https://t.co/rGuc4EiFSD
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 16, 2024
“I just told him, ‘Everything that got you here is going to take care of you in the long run. Don’t put your head down, don’t let a hard time humble you and just keep going,” Stroud said Sunday night on the broadcast. “It’s not going to be easy, but you got picked at No. 1 for a reason, because they trust in you and believe in you.’ I wish him the best, but I definitely think he’ll be better as he goes on.”
Williams and the Bears will look to bounce back in a road matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Meanwhile, Stroud and the Texans will travel north to take on the Minnesota Vikings.
