Three other rookie quarterbacks are going to talk this weekend at their teams’ rookie minicamps.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young will share his insights into his baby steps into the NFL. Anthony Richardson will speak about his experience joining the Indianapolis Colts. Even Will Levis will have some words even though the Tennessee Titans are probably going to keep Ryan Tannehill under center.
The Houston Texans and C.J. Stroud are different, and coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters that the team has, “other players that we drafted.”
“C.J. is not the only player that we drafted,” Ryans said with his disarming smile. “We’ve got multiple guys we drafted. We want to let you guys talk to all these guys, and C.J. will be able throughout the spring, later in the spring, also in training camp, so he will be available. Hold your horses, brother.”
“Hold your horses brother,” said Texans head coach DeMecoRyans when asked why rookie QB C.J. Stroud is not speaking to the media at the conclusion of rookie minicamp. #WeAreTexans #Sarge @TheTexansWire pic.twitter.com/NA52w39cBo
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) May 12, 2023
It makes sense Stroud has a lot to deal with as the first-round quarterback with the expectations of the entire franchise upon him.
While the Texans may have their reasons for keeping Stroud shrouded, it represents a departure from the way the organization has operated while having a highly touted rookie quarterback.
In 2017, the Texans had another acclaimed field general in their midst. Houston traded with the Cleveland Browns to take the Clemson product No. 12 overall, and gave up some capital to take the two-time Davey O’Brien Award winner.
The Texans didn’t withhold the first-rounder from comment. Bill O’Brien wasn’t keeping him fresh for a presser sometime later in the spring.
The new face of the franchise spoke, and it was some of the typical fare one would expect.
“It’s going to take the hard work and the grind,” he said. “You can expect a lot of stuff and want to be great, want to be successful, especially early, but it’s a process. It’s not going to happen overnight. It’s going to take long nights, early mornings to be able to put in the work and to get what you need to get in to be successful on the field.”
But he spoke.
Whether a rookie talks or doesn’t during minicamp has no impact on games, but it does show that there is a recognizable change in how the organization operates.
