Texans' Stroud: Rookie success wasn't surprising

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud isn't all that shocked he found immediate success in the NFL.

"No, it wasn't (surprising)," Stroud told Grant Gordon of NFL.com. "I have confidence in myself. I wasn't surprised much."

The 2023 No. 2 overall pick put together one of the best rookie seasons by a quarterback in recent memory. Stroud threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only five interceptions as he led the Texans to their first postseason appearance since 2019.

Stroud also guided Houston to a playoff victory over the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round before losing to the Baltimore Ravens the following week.

But the 22-year-old said there could be more in store for the 2024 Texans.

"Really excited," Stroud added. "We've got a lot of good pieces coming back, probably add some pieces that we need. Lot of moving parts, but it should be fun."

Most of the Texans' offense is expected to return in 2024. Wide receiver Nico Collins - who led the team in receiving - is under contract through next season, and rookie receiver Tank Dell will be back from a fractured fibula that ended his year prematurely. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik also isn't leaving despite receiving head coaching interest.