Here's everything Houston Texans Pro Bowlquarterback C.J. Stroud said following Day 1 of training camp, including updates on his current contract extension status, his offseason workouts and expecations for the impending season.
Question: On Executive Vice President and General Manager Nick Caserio saying they have had good conversations regarding contract negotiations
C.J. Stroud: “I think everything has been great. I'm focused on ball. I’m trying to hold my end of the bargain down on just the football side and do what I can and what I should be doing as the quarterback of this team. I'm letting them handle it and seems like everything is going great.”
Q: On how he balances the pressure of his performance amid contract negotiations
Stroud: “I think
pressure is part of my job. That's just something I think is part of the gig and something that I'm not naive to but I've learned you have to keep the main thing the main thing. You have to just focus on one day at a time, one play and the football is what's gotten me to even have the conversation, to be able to get a second contract. I have to focus on football.”
Q: On whether there is a point in the preseason where he would not want to talk about a contract extension anymore
Stroud: “Not really, I'm leaving that to [Agent] David [Mulugheta]. I don't really have that answer for you.”
On his growth heading into Training Camp
“I feel great, I think I've taken steps in the offseason of what it looks like to be… If you're going to be in one place, multiple places whatever it is, you have to get the work done. I think I've been able to do that. I've grown as a man; I'm growing in my faith. I'm growing in my football ability. I think I'm taking strides just as a person.”
Q: On expectations for the team entering Training Camp
Stroud: “The expectation is to take it one day at a time, one play at a time and then see where we are at the end of camp.”
Q: On whether he believes contract negotiations will take care of themselves
Stroud: “I think that's exactly right. What I've done is what I've done on the field and what I will do, we'll see. I think I've had some success and I think I'll continue to have success as a quarterback in this league. I'm excited for the future and to pass all the contracts stuff, I love playing football.”
Q: On entering his second season with Offensive Coordinator Nick Caley
Stroud: "I think last year was just getting the foundation of the system down. Now I think a step for him and I is to take the step on what I like to do in-and-out plays and how I see the game or flow of the game on different downs and distances. I think we'll be able to do that this offseason, but we took strides in OTAs and we will continue to do so.”
Q: On what he is looking forward to from the running back room this season
Stroud: “Playmakers and guys who can take care of the ball, have explosive plays and help in pass protection. I think we have the guys to do it.”
Q: On what he has done to have his best offseason
Stroud: “I think I've been consistent. I feel like when I was coming off my rookie year, it was my first offseason, so I really didn't know what to do. My second one you're trying to tailor it to exactly what that looks like and then this last one is like, ‘Okay I have an idea.’ I think like with anything in life, it just takes time. I think I was consistent the whole time and just focused on me and getting better in my faith, my family and then with football.”
Q: On what he worked on this offseason
Stroud: “Faith, family and football. There were little things in there but that was mostly the big things.”
Q: On what he worked on, specific to football, this offseason
Stroud: “I think I'll probably keep that to myself, but there are a bunch of things that I worked on. Pocket movement, a bunch of different things like that.”
Q: On how he sees pre-snap reads
Stroud: “I think I've always kind of been talented in that area, I don't think I really had an issue with that. I think I can always grow so I see myself getting better at it and getting the guys lined up and in the right position to make plays.”
On how much better he feels the team could potentially be this season
“I think we brought in some guys who want to win and who have experience in the playoff of playing in big games. I think they're going to come in and help and I think we have a better roster than we even did last year. I'm excited to get going with these guys.”
Q: On what he expects to see from WR Jayden Higgins in his second season
Stroud: “I expect him to be a dominant force. A guy who can make plays on the first, second and third levels. I think he's gotten better. I think he's learning and he's listening more. I wanted to take steps on where he can grow past this the things that he's already good at.”
Q: On whether he’s excited about the offensive line additions and what he has seen
Stroud: “Yeah, I'm excited I think there's a lot of experience up there. I think it's something that… I'm comfortable and I'm happy with the moves we made. I'm excited to get some guys up there who want to do everything and want to be running the football, pass protection and everything.”
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Everything Texans QB C.J. Stroud said following Day 1 of training camp
