Stroud appreciates MVP talk but focused on improving: 'I just want more'

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has gone from the top Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate to a bona fide MVP contender after delivering back-to-back clutch wins.

While Stroud is grateful for the recognition he's receiving, the No. 2 pick isn't letting it distract him from elevating his game.

"It's cool to have people recognize some of the things that I've done or - as a team, we've done," Stroud said Wednesday, according to Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk.

"At the same time, I just want more," he added. "I want to do better. I want to be as complete as I can. This game is a process, and I know every week, I have to bring it.

"And I know I'm not being treated as a rookie anymore, so people are bringing their A-game because they want to knock me off or whatever they think. For me, I just really want to keep getting better and better."

The 5-4 Texans jumped into the AFC's No. 7 seed after Stroud produced last-minute game-winning drives against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9.

Not only does the rookie signal-caller have Houston on track for the postseason a year after it finished 3-13-1, but his production stacks up with the best in the NFL.

Stroud ranks first in interception percentage (0.6), second in passing yards (2,626), third in yards per attempt (8.3), sixth in passer rating (101.0), and ninth in touchdown passes (15).

With no veteran quarterback separating themselves from the pack, Stroud has a chance to become only the second rookie to win MVP, after Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown did so in 1957.

"It's been cool to be able to be in the (MVP) talk, but just like they love me this week, they'll hate me the next," Stroud said. "So I don't try to look at that stuff. I try to stay even-keeled and just stay on the straight and narrow and just work really hard and make my teammates around me better."