Texans quarterback CJ Stroud takes a step forward in his second year by speaking out

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio — Rain fell as the Houston Texans’ offense struggled during its seventh practice of training camp last month.

During the first three 11-on-11 drills, the offense was sloppy and failed to pick up a first down. There were penalties before the kickoff and miscommunication between quarterback C.J. Stroud and receivers that led to incomplete passes. Pass protection struggled as Stroud was sacked multiple times. On one sack, defensive end Danielle Hunter quickly got past right tackle Tytus Howard, ending the team’s third session for offensive starters.

There was one more period of 11-on-11 left, but as the group walked across the soggy turf toward the sideline, a frustrated Stroud became irate and yelled at his team. He then grabbed a towel to dry his hands as a coach handed him a tablet to review what had just happened.

“I was trying to get them going and have more urgency,” Stroud told ESPN. “I was trying to hold everybody to a standard.”

That’s a snapshot of Stroud as he tries to build on a promising rookie season. In Year 2, before training camp begins, he’s clearly being more vocal. It’s an expectation the coaching staff has of him.

“He’s not afraid to ask questions of people in the room, to point out specific plays or maybe give a message for practice,” offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “He’s been a lot more vocal in meetings, which is great. That’s what you want your quarterback to be.”

Last year around this time, the Texans were set to play their first preseason game against the New England Patriots. Stroud was competing for the quarterback job with incumbent Davis Mills. He ultimately won the job and had a historic season, becoming only the fifth rookie quarterback to throw for over 4,000 yards (4,108) and leading the league in touchdown-to-interception ratio (23:5). During his rookie season, the main focus of Stroud’s coaching staff was to understand his assignment.

Now, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year is tasked with “understanding the bigger picture” and making sure the offense is on the same page. Stroud has “attacked” the challenge by being more vocal.

“Everything that happens before the play in the meeting rooms, the calls, the plays and everything is a lot more advanced now,” coach DeMeco Ryans told ESPN. “It’s been an ongoing process of him understanding the bigger picture, not just focusing on himself. … You see a lot of him lining guys up, putting them in the right spot.

“Bobby Slowik has done a great job of allowing him to see the bigger picture.”

The Texans have tried to build a team around Stroud in the offseason, adding more key players to spread the ball around. They acquired Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon and two-time All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs. In Year 1, the Texans had breakout seasons with wide receiver Nico Collins and Tank Dell en route to the 13th-best scoring offense (22.7 points). But with the new additions, Stroud has taken on the responsibility of integrating them.

“This year he’s not afraid to speak up,” Slowik told ESPN. “I would say he’s not afraid to make sure everyone does their job, including himself, including me, including his teammates. He’s definitely going to make sure everyone steps up and does what they need to do so we can go out and execute.”

Stroud stayed after practice to explain how he wants certain routes to be run and went over the route tree to improve chemistry. He will be one of the last to leave the field as he plays with center Juice Scruggs to improve the exchange while practicing his footwork for theoretical pre-snap moves or play-action trick passes.

“Our offense is all about the little details and moves and all kinds of nuances that we apply to the basic plays,” Stroud said. “It’s just about owning the team and trying to do the best you can to lead the guys around you.”

To focus on the small details off the field, Stroud is more vocal in offensive meetings, asking questions that lead to a discussion on how to attack defenses. He’s quick to come up with ideas on how tight ends and receivers should run a route if they’re given a specific coverage.

Her teammates have loved how vocal she’s become. Tight end Dalton Schultz even admitted he appreciates how she caught their attention at that rainy late July practice.

“He’s been challenged to be more vocal and more demanding,” Schultz told ESPN. “I think it was a step in that direction for him. When you’re one of the best quarterbacks in the league, guys respect you so much. If you start criticizing some guys, guys are going to listen to what you have to say and respect what you want.”

Last year, Stroud attended camp simply to try to understand the task and get acclimated to the NFL. On Friday, his preparation as a vocal leader will be paramount when he makes his preseason debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers (7 p.m. ET, NFL Network).