C.J. Stroud pulled Caleb Williams in for a conversation following the Houston Texans’ 19-13 win over the Chicago Bears.
He told the No. 1 overall pick, “Good job out there,” and to “stop taking those hits” after Williams was sacked seven times and took 11 quarterback hits. At the time, it seemed Williams wasn’t interested in hearing Stroud’s advice.
Stroud wanted to give a piece of advice to keep Williams’ confidence up heading into Week 3, so he pulled him back to deliver one final message.
“Come here,” Stroud said. “Learn from those mistakes, and everything that you got, bro, is in you already, bro. You’re going to be a hell of a player in this league.”
Social media users criticized Stroud for trying to ‘little bro’ the former USC star despite being only a year older than him in the league. When asked, Stroud said he wanted to relay the similar information given to him a season ago.
“I was not trying to little bro him or anything. He knows that, too. I have a ton of respect for him,” Stroud said. “I had so many guys coming to me after games last year, and that meant the world to me that those guys even thought about giving me advice.
“I was just trying to give back to the game what it’s given to me. I wish him the best, man. I want him to do amazing in this league. I think he will.”
#Texans C.J. Stroud emphasized strongly that he was not 'little bro' ing #Bears Caleb Williams whom he has a ton of respect for adding that Williams was just upset that he didn't win the game and is a competitive guy. He wishes him all the success @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/FCtl7YXd22
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 18, 2024
Stroud certainly took the information to heart given to him last season en route to winning Offensive Rookie of the Year. In 15 games, he threw for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns against five interceptions while leading Houston to its first division title in four years.
Stroud also became the first quarterback since Tom Brady to lead the NFL in passing yards per game and touchdown-to-interception ratio in the same season. He also became the first rookie quarterback drafted in the first round to win a playoff game since 2009, surpassing former New York Jets star Mark Sanchez.
While Willams could live up to the hype as a potential franchise quarterback, Sunday was far from his best performance. He completed 23 of his 37 passes for 174 yards and two interceptions.
Stroud said that Williams would be fine in time and admitted that even he had some growing pains before finding his groove as a rookie.
C.J. Stroud clarifies ‘little bro' talk with Caleb Williams after Texans-Bears
"I was not trying to little bro him or anything," Stroud said. "He knows that, too. I have a ton of respect for him. I had so many guys coming to me after games last year and that meant the world to… pic.twitter.com/ApZj1FhkJg
— TIN Sports (@TrendInfoNow) September 19, 2024
“I didn’t get my rhythm until like Week 3 or Week 4,” Stroud said. “So, I can see his game picking up from here.”
When asked about the postgame interaction, Williams’ response was brief.
“We shook hands at the end of the game,” the QB said Sunday. “That was about it.”
Stroud, who now looks to keep Houston’s undefeated season alive on the road against the Minnesota Vikings, said he didn’t view Williams’ answer as negative, especially given the circumstances.
“He was just upset that they lost. I totally understand,” Stroud said. “I have a ton of respect for that guy. I want him to do extremely well just like any other guy until we play on that day.”
