C.J. Stroud Talks Texans Success, NFL ROY Award, Super Bowl and More in B/R Interview

C.J. Stroud surprised even himself.

While the No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft had high expectations at the start of his NFL career, establishing himself in MVP discussions and leading the Houston Texans to an AFC South crown and playoff win in Year 1 exceeded even his own envisioned timeline.

"I didn't think it was going to happen that fast," Stroud told Bleacher Report. "I knew that I would get my rhythm and the game would slow down for me at some point, and I was really just trying to be confident. I had a lot of great teammates around me to help me get my rhythm and a lot of great coaching as well.

"It's been a blessing. It was really cool just to talk to the guys after the games that you played against and have that respect. I knew that I would play well, but it happened really fast and I'm super blessed for that."

Houston selected Stroud out of Ohio State with the expectation he would be the franchise cornerstone for years to come, but it was fair to assume there would be some type of learning curve considering the team was 3-13-1 the year before he arrived.

Instead, he completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions while leading the Texans to a 10-7 record and division title. As if that wasn't enough, he threw for 274 yards, three touchdowns and zero picks in a playoff win over the Cleveland Browns.

The magic eventually ended in a Divisional Round loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but the season was a resounding success as Stroud built instant chemistry with wide receiver Nico Collins, proved he can make any throw downfield and avoided interceptions, which was particularly impressive for a rookie.

So when did he realize he could play at an extremely high level in the NFL?

"At the end of the Ravens game, the first game of the year," he said. "We were moving the ball really well. After that game I was confident that I could do well, and then we played the [Indianapolis] Colts and I played decently. And then we started winning after that."

Stroud went 28-of-44 for 242 yards in that opener against the Ravens, which was a 25-9 loss to one of the best defenses and teams in the league. Something clearly clicked, as he threw for 384 yards, two touchdowns and zero picks against the Colts in defeat the next time out and then won the next two straight to set the tone.

While Puka Nacua will surely garner some consideration, Stroud will likely take home the Offensive Rookie of the Year over the Los Angeles Rams wide receiver and fellow finalists in Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions tight end Sam LaPorta and Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson.

"It would mean a lot," he said of potentially wining the award. "That was definitely a goal of mine. I would be honored, especially since all the other guys are very deserving as well as great players. I'm really just honored to be one of the finalists."

If there is a downside to such immediate success, it is the chance the Texans could lose a key member of their coaching staff.

While first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans deserves plenty of credit for Houston's turnaround, so does first-year offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. Slowik, who previously worked closely with San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan as the team's passing game coordinator, led an offense that instantly clicked even beyond Stroud.

Collins tallied 1,297 receiving yards after failing to reach the 500-yard mark in either of his first two seasons, Devin Singletary impressed at times in the running game and rookie wide receiver Tank Dell looked like a star in the making before he suffered a fractured fibula.

Slowik has generated some interest in the coaching cycle and already interviewed for head-coaching vacancies with the Washington Commanders and Atlanta Falcons before the latter hired Raheem Morris.

"I told him I'm excited for him and hope for the best for him and his family," Stroud said of the attention his offensive coordinator has received. "But of course you want to build in a second year together after a great first year. But it's a business, so everybody has to do what's best for them. I definitely wouldn't be mad at him, I understand. I'd be happy for him to get the opportunity to go live out his dream of being a head coach."

While he waits to see if Slowik will return, Stroud is keeping busy with another partnership.

He teamed up with Cheetos for the brand's Cheetos Crunchy Buffalo campaign. The new flavor is aiming to be the second-best buffalo-based game day snack for fans to enjoy behind wings, so it was only fitting that the No. 2 overall pick of the draft was involved.

"It's been amazing," Stroud said of the partnership. "We've got the new flavor coming out in the Crunchy Buffalo. We know that buffalo wings are No. 1 at watch parties and around the football season, but we're trying to take that No. 2 spot. That's something I'm pretty familiar with being the second pick in the draft but still trying to bring that heat."

One Las Vegas-based fan and five of their friends will win a Super Bowl watch party with Stroud, while others can win prizes such as $22,222.22 in cash by posting a chicken wing emoji on Cheetos' Instagram page.

Stroud believes he and the lucky winner will watch Patrick Mahomes take home a second straight Lombardi Trophy when the Kansas City Chiefs take on the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.

"I think the Chiefs are going to win," he said. "Just that experience, Mahomes and [Travis] Kelce, their defense playing at a high level. But I do think the Niners are going to make it competitive, and Brock Purdy is going to play well."

If everything goes according to plan, Stroud will be playing in next year's Super Bowl instead of watching it.

After all, there is no reason for anything but optimism in Houston with the team already ahead of the expected timeline with a division crown in its back pocket. Ryans will have more experience as a head coach, Stroud will have more experience under center, Dell will return from his injury and Collins could take another step forward as he and the quarterback develop even more chemistry.

Pass-rusher Will Anderson Jr. and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. will also be back to anchor the defense, and a deep playoff run will now be the expectation.

Yet expectations mean new challenges.

"We're not coming from a surprise spot," Stroud said. "Everybody knows now that we're going to be good this year, and they're going to give us their best ball. We're going to do the same. I'm really excited, I know we have some top matchups. Hopefully, we'll have some more night games and things like that. I'm really just excited to play with my brothers again and try to go get it all."

Houston plays the Ravens, Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions on top of its own division matchups in 2024, so expect to see plenty of Stroud in the spotlight.

He's ready for it.