HOUSTON – One of the more underrated aspects of Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud’s game are his legs. Specifically, the former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Heisman Trophy finalist’s speed and scrambling skills.
When Stroud decides to run, he provides a relatively fast and elusive presence that boosts the Texans’ offense.
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Just look at how Stroud’s 27-yard scamper positioned the Texans for a key field goal in a 32-12 AFC wild-card playoff game victory over the Los Angeles Chargers as he rushed for 42 yards on six runs. His ability to run away from trouble also prevents sacks. He was sacked 52 times during the regular season, a career-high, but the number could have been much higher as well as the toll on his body.
Teammates, including Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon, have encouraged Stroud to take off when things break down or whenever he sees a vulnerability in the defense. And Stroud’s running skills, which he displayed occasionally at Ohio State, including in a semifinal playoff game against the Georgia Bulldogs, are definitely a plus.
Make no mistake, though, Stroud prefers to operate from the pocket as a traditional quarterback most of the time.
“He had been talking to me about that for a long time and I feel like I have kind of been able to do that this year,” Stroud said of Mixon’s encouragement to run more. “I think throughout the year I ran for like 60 yards against the Jets was part of my career-high, which I thought was kind of cool. It is not something I have ever been opposed of, but I think I am elite in throwing the ball in the pocket, but I have been able to extend plays this year. I think that is a good thing for us and when it is need be. It is not something that I am looking for all the time but definitely something that I think can help us get an edge on the team. I am more than able and more than capable.”
#Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud on added element of him as a running threat @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/KGpVjIACvj
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 14, 2025
C.J. Stroud takes off for 27 yards!
— NFL (@NFL) January 11, 2025
📺: #LACvsHOU on CBS/Paramount+
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Of course, Stroud’s speed, awareness and ability to ad-lib are big elements of his game.
That was all on display on his 34-yard completion to wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson off of a busted play when Stroud took his eye off of center Jarrett Patterson’s incoming shotgun snap and picked it off the ground on the hop, scrambled toward the sideline and lobbed a pass that found its intended target to spark the offense and a 99-yard drive Stroud capped with a touchdown pass to star wide receiver Nico Collins.
Run more? Absolutely.
“It is massive, we embrace that without question,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “Especially when he does it the way he did it in the game. We use the verbiage command the pocket and he has ownership of the pocket. He feels very confident, he knows where he is going, and you threaten second level defenders with your movement. A lot of times you roll out and you go backwards and retreat in an edge that doesn’t threaten defenders but eliminates half the field for you.
“He has made some incredible plays still throwing it back the other way, but it is harder to be consistent that way. When you can escape up and out, that is a game-changer for a quarterback and how that affects the defense. For him to do that in the game we had here really opened the entire defense and the entire pass game for us. That is something we embrace. We talk about when and when not, but if he makes a productive play, we are all on the sideline dappng him up.”
Bobby Slowik said #Texans encourage the running and scramble element of C.J. Stroud's game @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/JznziiK6Oc
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 15, 2025
Stroud rushed for 167 yards as a rookie for three touchdowns. He rushed for a career-best 233 yards this season and 14 first downs.
How he runs affects the defense, catching them off-guard.
“There was one third down, actually the one I threw the interception on, I looked and I was like dang there is a wide open, nobody accounted for me,” Stroud said. “I looked at it on the iPad and those are learning moments right there. I am still learning. Year Two for me and I think I am ahead on a lot of things, but I am definitely not perfect. I don’t think I ever will be. I’m always willing to learn and make mistakes from them so I am glad I was able to learn from that and see that look and take off from there.”
C.J. keeping calm in the chaos 🎯 pic.twitter.com/UL2Htk3dDx
— NFL (@NFL) January 11, 2025
On Saturday against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and their cerebral defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Stroud will be involved in a high-stakes chess match against a defense that includes defensive tackle Chris Jones, linebacker Nick Bolton, cornerback Trent McDuffie, former Texans safety Justin Reid and several other talented players.
“It’s huge,” Stroud said. “Their DC,, he is amazing. He does a lot of great blitz packages, plays a lot of sound coverage. A bend don’t break type of defense. They make a lot of plays, they attack the football and they are playing at a high level. They have been able to uphold their team a lot this year and keep the games close. It starts upfront with Chris Jones, amazing player.
“Then, Nick Bolton, great player. The whole linebacker team communicated very well. Reid in the back doing his thing. McDuffie, I think I told you this before, one of the best corners in the league in my opinion and plays nickel too. They do a lot of great things, and their coaches know how to put them in positions to execute at a high level so we have to be on our A game and try to do our best to withstand the surge early on and chop wood, carry water throughout the game.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
