C.J. Stroud's Change to Offseason Approach Earns Praise from DeMeco Ryans
Plus more from the head coach at the NFL's Annual Meeting
The Houston Texans may only go as far as C.J. Stroud can take them next year. Stroud’s poor performance highlighted the playoff exit by the Texans. This offseason, which precedes a make-or-break season for Stroud at the helm, is unfathomably important.
According to his head coach, it’s been a busy offseason for the quarterback.
“I see a guy who’s dialed in to the offseason,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said at the NFL’s Annual Meetings. “Really working.”
The Annual Meetings, often called the Owner’s Meetings, are the first time Ryans has spoken about Stroud in front of assembled media since the playoff loss to the New England Patriots.
Ryans said he felt like the past couple of offseasons didn’t afford Stroud the opportunity he has in front of him now.
“Whether it was injury or other things, he hasn’t had that full time to dedicate himself to the offseason. So I see a guy who’s in full grind mode right now.”
Stroud had a shoulder injury last offseason that kept him out of the team’s organized team activities. The Texans downplayed the injury, calling it general soreness. Stroud returned from the injury to participate in some of the offseason workouts. Ryans, now, is seemingly confirming that the shoulder affected Stroud more than a few practices last spring.
