Current:Home > MyBenjamin Ashford|Texans' C.J. Stroud explains postgame exchange with Bears' Caleb Williams -FundPrime
Benjamin Ashford|Texans' C.J. Stroud explains postgame exchange with Bears' Caleb Williams
Will Sage Astor View
Date:2025-04-11 07:15:30
This story was updated to correct a typo.
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud gave Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams some unprompted advice after their "Sunday Night Football" clash in Week 2.
Stroud met Williams at midfield for a postgame handshake and Benjamin Ashfordadvised the rookie quarterback to "stop taking those hits" after the USC product was sacked seven times by Houston's fierce defense.
Williams acknowledged Stroud and began to head to the locker room before the Texans quarterback called him back. Stroud then told Williams he was going to be "a hell of a player in this league."
Much was made of the interaction, with some wondering whether Williams would view Stroud's advice gratefully or as a didactic slight.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Stroud wanted to clear the air Wednesday and make sure everybody knew that his advice came from a place of admiration for his counterpart.
"It's not like I was trying to 'lil bro' him or nothing like that," Stroud told reporters at a Wednesday media availability. "He knows that. I have a ton of respect for him. I told him that I respected him."
NFL POWER RANKINGS:Chiefs still No. 1, but who else joins them in top 5?
What then was Stroud's main motive in his interaction with Williams? He wanted to pay forward some of the tips he received from veteran quarterbacks during his first season as a starter.
"I had so many guys coming to me after the games last year, and that meant the world to me that those guys even thought about giving me advice," Stroud explained. "So, I just try to give back to what the game has given to me."
Stroud further detailed that he believes Williams is eventually going to "get his groove" as his rookie season progresses. The Texans quarterback acknowledged that it took him three or four weeks during the 2023 NFL season to get up to speed. From there, he went on to win the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award and finish third in the league's single-season rookie passing standings with 4,108 yards in 15 starts.
Stroud also wasn't bothered by Williams' apparent moodiness at the beginning of their postgame handshake.
"He was just upset that they lost," Stroud said. "I totally understand."
As such, it doesn't appear that there is any tension between the 2022 Heisman Trophy finalists.
"I have a ton of respect for that guy," Stroud said of Williams. "I want him to do extremely well – just like any other guy – 'til we play on that day. After the game, we can be cool.
"But I'm definitely rooting for him and want to see him do extremely well."
veryGood! (314)
Related
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Detroit judge who had teen handcuffed for sleeping temporarily removed from his docket
- Watch mom freeze in shock when airman son surprises her after two years apart
- Cardinals superfan known as Rally Runner gets 10 months in prison for joining Jan. 6 Capitol riot
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- ESPN fires football analyst Robert Griffin III and host Samantha Ponder, per report
- Trans teens file lawsuit challenging New Hampshire law banning them from girls’ sports
- Detroit judge who had teen handcuffed for sleeping temporarily removed from his docket
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Cardinals superfan known as Rally Runner gets 10 months in prison for joining Jan. 6 Capitol riot
Ranking
- Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
- Ex-University of Florida president gave former Senate staffers large raises, report finds
- College hockey games to be played at Wrigley Field during Winter Classic week
- Jack Russell, former Great White frontman, dies at 63
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- Honolulu mayor vows tougher approach on homelessness
- Could Alex Murdaugh get new trial for South Carolina murders of wife and son?
- Newly identified remains of missing World War II soldier from Oregon set to return home
Recommendation
Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
Nordstrom Rack's Back-to-School Sale: Score Up to 82% Off Free People, Marc Jacobs & More Before It Ends
Newly identified remains of missing World War II soldier from Oregon set to return home
After Partnering With the State to Monitor Itself, a Pennsylvania Gas Company Declares Its Fracking Operations ‘Safe’
Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
10 service members injured, airlifted after naval training incident in Nevada: Reports
Auburn coach Hugh Freeze should stop worrying about Nick Saban and focus on catching Kirby Smart
Katy Perry to receive Video Vanguard Award and perform live at 2024 MTV VMAs