TheHouston Texans may be sitting at 1-4 right now, but that has just about nothing to do withquarterback C.J. Stroud. After having some turnover issues in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills, Stroud has not committed a single turnover.
In all of Houston’s five games this season, he has spread the ball around to players such as wide receivers Nico Collins and Xavier Hutchinson as well as tight end Dalton Schultz.
Offensive coordinator Nick Caley identified that as something Stroud has done well throughout his entire NFL career.
"He's always done a good job of that. I really do,” Caley said. “Just turn back the clock a year ago, San Francisco game of 2025, he hits 10 eligibles. He has distributed the ball and I think he reads coverage as well.
He has a good feel for the pass game and just seeing it very well. Again, within the timing and rhythm when guys, whether it's coverage that may take away a read that forces you to progress to your second or third option or it's your primary, I think he does a good job of throwing to the open guy. Which we're not trying to bypass guys in our progression. Certainly, there are times you have yes-no's and stuff like that on the backside or at certain locations, but he does a really good job of that and I think he's done that since I've been here and I think you're just seeing it, you know, this year play out as well."
After Houston’s trade for Stroud’s former college teammate, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr, he has yet another target to throw the ball to. Stroud and Harrison Jr had elite chemistry back in college. During their second year together in 2022, both players had extraordinary seasons with Stroud finishing as a Heisman finalist and Harrison Jr being named an All-American.
The Texans will be hoping for that kind of chemistry and production from the duo this year as they try to claw their way back into the playoff picture. Headed into Week 6, they are only two games off from the No. 7 seed in the playoffs and if they can get a win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, they will only be back two in the AFC South.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans Nick Caley praises QB CJ Stroud for ability to spread ball around
