Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud throws first NFL touchdown pass
CJ Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft checked off a big NFL milestone, completing his first touchdown pass during a preseason bout. It took Stroud a couple of weeks to toss a TD as a pro, but he’s finally found the end zone through the air.
He connected on his first touchdown pass on Sunday night against the New Orleans Saints. The former Buckeye tossed a three-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins, a former Michigan wideout.
Stroud had struggled in his NFL debut going against legendary head coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Stroud went 2-for-4 for 13 yards and an interception while also getting sacked once against the Patriots.
It’s no surprise a rookie quarterback facing Belichick and his defense would struggle. But Stroud showed that was just some rookie early rookie struggles with a solid performance that now features a passing touchdown.
The Texans made a big investment in Stroud this offseason, taking the former Ohio State star quarterback second overall in the 2023 draft. Stroud dazzled for two seasons at Ohio State, leading the Buckeyes to 21 wins in 25 games started, throwing for 8123 yards and 85 touchdowns while tossing 12 interceptions.
He’s shown the ability to be a prolific passer and is expected to immediately slot in as the starting quarterback in Houston when the regular season comes around.
And now Stroud’s thrown what will hopefully be the first of many touchdowns as a Texan.
Stroud took lessons from his pick against the Patriots
Afterward, Stroud was certain he’d learn from the game and rough first outing.
“Just trust my eyes,” Stroud said post-game. “I (saw) a certain look to where I knew in film, that they could run that to where the safety, if his man blocks, he’ll come off and really be locked into my eyes. I just lost track of that and just forced it. Should have just checked it down to Dalton (Schultz).”
It didn’t help that Houston started a refigured offensive line. Three expected starters didn’t see action, including left tackle Laremy Tunsil and right guard Shaq Mason. And the Patriots decided to blitz Stroud, a defensive strategy a lot of teams use against a rookie quarterback. New England sent pressure on 60 percent of the snaps he played.
It’s been anything but fair winds and following seas for Stroud’s early snaps in Houston, but lumps were expected to be taken for a team that has lived around the to the draft and bottom of the league for a number of years now.