Houston Texans Sign Franchise Quarterback

HOUSTON— The Houston Texans have finally signed their franchise quarterback.

C.J. Stroud, the second overall pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, has officially signed his rookie contract. Stroud’s contract is for four years with $36.3 million fully guaranteed. While at Ohio State, Stroud threw for 8,123 yards, 85 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He will receive $23.38 million in a signing bonus.

Stroud is in direct competition with veteran quarterback Davis Mills for the starting position. But taking a quarterback that high in the draft, look for Stroud early in the season.

The Texans made a huge trade on draft night to trade up to the third overall pick, right after selecting Stroud, to get one of the best defenders in the draft in Alabama’s Will Anderson. He signed his rookie deal on June 23, 2023, that is worth $35.2 million fully guaranteed with a $22.6 million signing bonus.

Picking at two then trading up to three would’ve been back breaking in future drafts for a regular NFL team, but Houston traded quarterback DeShaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns for a King’s Ransom and ended up with a ton of currency for the draft. They still hold eight picks next season including a first rounder.

First year head coach DeMeco Ryans was extremely aggressive in the draft, something Houston fans should remember about Ryans when he played for them, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2006. After his playing days ended, he was a defensive quality control coach for the San Francisco 49ers in 2017, then moved to the inside linebackers coaching position from 2018-2020.

From 2021-2022, Ryans was the 49ers defensive coordinator before becoming the Houston Texan’s head coach this offseason.

Houston has aways to go after rolling through head coaches like a rolodex the past few seasons, but getting possible the best defender in the draft in Anderson and the second-best quarterback in the draft in Stroud will go a long way to making Houston competitive in a somewhat weak division.

The Indianapolis Colts, who selected fourth overall in 2023, picking Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, have some rebuilding to do and over in Tennessee, the Titans have selected a quarterback in the second round for two straight seasons in Liberty’s Malik Willis and Kentucky’s Will Levis.

The one team that looks like its heading in the right direction is the Jacksonville Jaguars where quarterback Trevor Lawrence got things going last season.

If Houston can get things going early and get protect Stroud, they could climb out of the bottom of the league in no time. The Texans start training camp on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.