The Texans have had a break from organized work since the end of their offseason program, but rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud isn’t staying away from his teammates.
Stroud is still getting together with teammates to build up a comfort level ahead of his first NFL season. One recent session included wide receivers Robert Woods and Tank Dell and tight end Dalton Schultz at the University of Houston, and Stroud said that his goal for the remaining time before camp is to continue building on what the team did over the course of the spring.
“It was good, definitely just building chemistry trying to get timing down and trying to be as best we can so we can get to training camp and dominate,” Stroud said, via Aaron Wilson of KPRC. “That was the goal for that one to keep building and have a good offseason.”
Dell was a third-round pick in April and the Texans also added wideout Xavier Hutchinson in the sixth round. Stroud said that the rookies are spending a lot of time working on strengthening their bond.
“Yeah, we’re together 24-7,” Stroud said. “We’re doing all the hard stuff together, all the good stuff and we’re blessed enough to have a great rookie class. Those guys are at the forefront of that and we’re going to do well.”
The Texans haven’t anointed Stroud as their 2023 starter yet, but they attached their hopes for a brighter future to him with the second overall pick in April and anything he does now to speed up the arrival of that future will be much appreciated in Houston.
Laremy Tunsil is fired up about the Texans’ decision to hire DeMeco Ryans as their new head coach and the left tackle from Ryans’ former team also thinks the team has made a winning choice.
Trent Williams didn’t play on the side of the ball that Ryans coached during their time with the 49ers, but he spent the last three seasons facing off against Ryans’ defense in practice. He was left with a positive impression of Ryans’ coaching acumen and he believes that 2023 is going to be the start of an extended run of good things in Houston.
“Yeah, I think they got a steal ,” Williams said, via Aaron Wilson of KPRC. “He can be a staple for this organization for a long time. He’s a very talented coach. Obviously, has pedigree, played this game for a long time, played it the right way and he coaches it the right way. I think he’s going to have a lot of success out here.”
The Texans also hired offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik away from the 49ers and Williams called him “a brilliant mind” who will do an “excellent job” in helping Ryans steer the Texans toward better days.
The Texans were 11-38 the past three seasons with four head coaches, including interim coach Romeo Crennel. They have another new head coach this season in DeMeco Ryans.
They also have a new quarterback, having finally put the Deshaun Watson era/scandal behind them.
The additions of Ryan and No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud give the Texans hope for the future.
“It’s a whole new vibe, man,” left tackle Laremy Tunsil said Friday during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. “DeMeco came in with that energy he brought from San Fran and just changed the whole vibe around the building, and that’s something that we needed, especially since these last three years we’ve been in a rut. So, DeMeco comes in the building, he brought some new coaches; we’ve got some new players. Man, it’s just a whole new vibe that’s in that building. It feels great to be there.”
The Texans fired Bill O’Brien during the 2020 season, replacing him with Crennel. They then had one-and-done head coaches in David Culley and Lovie Smith before hiring Ryans from the 49ers.
The Texans have overhauled their roster, with Stroud now the quarterback of the present and the future for the team.
“He handles himself well. He came in the building with these unbelievable leadership skills, and he’s killing it, man,” Tunsil said of Stroud. “How I describe C.J. — dawg. He’s a straight dawg. He comes in there ready to work. He handles the huddle perfectly and he goes out there and balls, man. You’ve got to appreciate that, especially in a young quarterback like C.J.”
The Texans have some good, young players to build around, which gives everyone in Houston hope that the future is bright.
The Cardinals released receiver DeAndre Hopkins on May 26, and he has remained a free agent since.
Hopkins visited the Patriots and Titans, and Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports both teams remain interested. Pelissero added that the sides have had communication this week, but no signing is imminent.
Hopkins wrote on social media Thursday that he will retire when he’s not a 1,000-yard receiver.
“I’ll retire from football when I’m not a 1k-yard receiver,” Hopkins said on threads. “With that said, I was on pace for 1,400 yards last year—one significant injury in 11 years. I might be playing till I’m 37 the way I feel.”
Hopkins, 31, has not had a 1,000-yard season since 2020, having played only 19 games the past two seasons, while missing 15 to a suspension and injuries. He made 106 receptions for 1,289 yards and 11 touchdowns the past two seasons combined.
DeAndre Hopkins doesn’t have a new home yet.
The receiver remains a free agent and continues to wait for the right offer after visits to the Titans and Patriots.
Hopkins, 31, has not had a 1,000-yard season since 2020, having played only 19 games the past two seasons, while missing 15 to a suspension and injuries. He made 106 receptions for 1,289 yards and 11 touchdowns the past two seasons combined.
Hopkins, though, said Thursday on social media that he will retire when he’s not a 1,000-yard receiver.
“I’ll retire from football when I’m not a 1k-yard receiver,” Hopkins said on threads. “With that said, I was on pace for 1,400 yards last year—one significant injury in 11 years. I might be playing till I’m 37 the way I feel.”
From 2017-19, in his final three seasons in Houston, Hopkins was one of the top receivers in the game, earning All-Pro all three seasons. In his first season in Arizona, Hopkins made 115 receptions for 1,407 yards and six touchdowns, which was his last 1,000-yard season and his last Pro Bowl season.
Hopkins, though, is convinced he can return to where he once was.