The Houston Texans finally named a Week 1 QB to face the Ravens

The only team without a starting QB named in their Week 1 depth chart, the Houston Texans, finally came to their senses and made their final call following the preseason finale played by the franchise on Monday, Aug. 27, ahead of their matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 10.

C.J. Stroud secured the starting quarterback role for the Houston Texans' Week 1 matchup against the Flock, as officially announced by new Head Coach DeMeco Ryans following a 17–13 victory over the New Orleans Saints in their preseason finale.

Stroud's performance in the mid-summer win included two successful passes for 16 yards, culminating in a touchdown. The Texans made the decision of selecting the 21-year-old second-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Ryans cited Stroud's steady development throughout OTAs, training camp, and preseason games as the driving force behind this decision, one that meant ditching incumbent starter Davis Mills in favor of the rookie.

Stroud made his preseason debut completing just two of four passes for 13 yards, getting intercepted. Through the full preseason, spanning three games, Stroud has gone for 11-of-20 completions reaching 89 passing yards to go with a touchdown and said interception in the Texans' opener.

Among this year's trifecta of first-round quarterbacks, including Carolina's Bryce Young and Indianapolis' Anthony Richardson, Stroud emerged as the last to clinch the Week 1 starting role.

Stroud was an Ohio State standout entering this year's draft, wrapping up his NCAA run at 8,123 passing yards, 85 touchdowns, and a winning 21–4 record. He was named among the finalists for the Heisman Trophy in 2022.

Stroud will lead Houston's offense against the Ravens while fellow top-3 pick and former Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson will lead the defense in trying to get to Lamar Jackson in Week 1.

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