Report: Texans QB CJ Stroud taking first-team reps

A Houston Texans reporter recently shared where CJ Stroud stands in the team’s quarterback competition.

Stroud was taken No. 2 overall in this year’s draft. The Texans selected Stroud and Will Anderson back-to-back in late April, hoping the two players will develop into franchise cornerstones. It sounds like Stroud is off to a great start so far.

Houston Chronicle reporter Brooks Kubena reported on Wednesday that Stroud has taken over first-team quarterback duties with the Texans. Stroud initially had been competing with incumbent Davis Mills, but the Ohio State rookie pulled ahead when the team returned to football work after Memorial Day.

According to Kubena, Texans coaches feel like Stroud is way ahead of schedule. They are hoping he will be their No. 1 quarterback when training camp begins in July, which would put him on track to start in Week 1.

Houston is coming off a 3-13-1 season and has now gone three straight seasons without more than four wins. They had what they felt was a franchise quarterback in Deshaun Watson, but they had to trade him after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct were levied against him. Now, they hope they can start fresh under Stroud and become a future playoff team.

Stroud was one of three quarterbacks selected in the first four picks of the draft, behind Bryce Young (No. 1 to Carolina) and ahead of Anthony Richardson (No. 4 to Indianapolis). Stroud finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting in 2021 and third last year.