We have seen a number of rookie quarterbacks including Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson be officially named the starting quarterback for their respective team. That has still yet to happen for Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, but it sure look like he is on his way to being the team’s Week 1 starter.
Stroud is competing with David Mills for the starting job, and thus far he has received a majority of the first team reps in practice along with starting the team’s first preseason game last week.
Ahead of their second preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans announced that Stroud would yet again start over Mills in Saturday’s game.
#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said C.J. Stroud will start again vs. the #Dolphins — another step toward the No. 2 overall pick being Houston's QB1.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 17, 2023
Stroud didn’t exactly light the world on fire in his first preseason game, completing only two of four passes for 13 yards along with a rough interception.
However, the team spent the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on him, and fans believe that Stroud could win the starting job with a good performance against Miami.
I have no idea why it’s so important for teams to announce the starting QB. C.J. Stroud is taking all of the 1st team reps. He barely played in the preseason opener like every other starter.
Houston… C.J. Stroud is the starting QB.
No one needs to announce it. https://t.co/4e8uzgLPiC— TC Collins (@tcfromantioch) August 17, 2023
We will be there (Literally) https://t.co/foYMNJe23v
— Nico (@elitetakes_) August 17, 2023
Shouldn’t be any other way
— Burt Macklin NY (@BurtyMacklin) August 17, 2023
Really don't understand the preseason dog and pony shows with the rookie QBs. Stroud knows he's starting Week 1. Davis Mills knows Stroud is starting Week 1. Their Week 1 opponent knows he's starting Week 1. You and I know he's starting Week 1.
Just say he's starting Week 1. https://t.co/g6NkC2XeqY
— lstanczyksports (@lstanczyksports) August 17, 2023
https://twitter.com/falcfans/status/1692232925247324171
Davis Mills certainly seems to have an uphill battle on his hands to be named the Week 1 starter. But he has done a very good job thus far of at least making it a discussion.
Mills excelled in the Texans’ opening preseason game against the New England Patriots, completing 75 percent of his passes for 99 yards and a touchdown.
A good performance against the Dolphins on Saturday could go a long way for Stroud as he looks to separate himself from Mills in this QB competition.
