Houston Texans rookie duo of quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive Will Anderson Jr. will undoubtedly be considered for their respective NFL Rookie of the Year Awards. They both ranked near the top of their respective positions among first-year players and were instrumental in Houston’s playoff push throughout the year.
Some candidates could threaten either’s claim to the award, but Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans – a candidate for Coach of the Year himself – believes Stroud and Anderson should win the top rookie honors.
“Nobody has said this, but we should have the offensive and defensive rookie of the year,” Ryans said after the game. “Both guys have stepped up big time for us, C.J. [Stroud] with the offense and Will on defense.”
It should be noted that these awards have already been voted on and are based purely on regular-season performances. So despite Stroud’s impressive wild card game against the Cleveland Browns, neither he nor Anderson’s claim to the award improved after the game.
However, they both proved in the regular season to be among the best rookies in the NFL.
Stroud was clearly the best rookie quarterback, but he also finished eighth in passing yards, 13th in passing touchdowns and had the lowest interception rate among qualified quarterbacks. All of this he did despite missing two games with a concussion. Anderson, meanwhile, finished fourth among rookies with seven sacks and set the Houston rookie record for sacks.
It wouldn’t be the first time one team took home both ROTY awards. The New York Jets’ duo of cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson both won in 2022, while the New Orleans Saints duo of cornerback Marshon Lattimore and running back Alvin Kamara won in 2017.
The NFL awards will be announced on Feb. 8.