Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has been extremely impressive to start his NFL career. Without elite receivers, and despite a banged-up offensive line, Stroud is playing at a high level with everything from simple dump-offs and hot routes to deep passes. Stroud is also making adjustments other young quarterbacks might struggle with.
Anatomy of a Play: How C.J. Stroud learned something most rookies don’t
Perhaps most importantly, Stroud hasn’t turned the ball over… at all. At least until there was 6:05 left in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints. That’s when Stroud threw this pick to linebacker Zack Baun on an attempted pass to tight end Dalton Schultz. Baun got his first career interception to boot.
Not a bad outcome for your first career interception 😅
📺: #NOvsHOU on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/B4mQvLOt8O pic.twitter.com/TIHVebjn7h— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2023
Only Kyler Murray (211) had more attempts in pro football history without an interception to start his career.
Not that Stroud was affected by it — on his next drive, he hit Schultz for this one-yard touchdown pass.
What a catch 🫡 pic.twitter.com/eC4kfnpGr2
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 15, 2023