Houston Texans first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans announced Wednesday that first-round pick C.J. Stroud will start at quarterback in the team’s final preseason game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
“As of right now, [the] plan is to get our first guys about two series and see how that goes and allow the younger guys to have a lot of work in that game,” Ryans said in his press conference, according to Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk.
“With the starting and all those questions — nobody ever asked me who’s starting at linebacker or starting at safety or who’s going out there first. It’s all about the quarterback, right? So, I get it,” Ryans added. “But everybody is vying for a job here. I know we put the emphasis on the quarterback and that position, but man, we have to see who’s starting up front at D-line, who’s going to be starting on the O-line. Competition is all over our team for who wants to be the first guys going out there. And to me, that’s the only way I see it. Nobody is handed anything.”
Stroud has completed nine of his 16 pass attempts in two preseason appearances, with one interception and zero touchdowns, so he could certainly use the reps if he’s to start Week 1 for the Texans.
The NFL world was quick to react to the news:
We all know the best QB playing in this game will be Jake Haener https://t.co/tYPTiDXeiU
— Trizzy Trace (@tracegirouard48) August 23, 2023
Can’t wait to see him get sacked 9 times and throw 3 interceptions Week 1 https://t.co/Mxgc0ZFEgX
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(@roquanburna) August 23, 2023
Good!! He needs these reps to be ready for the start of the season!!
— Van (@vanman_1000) August 23, 2023