Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, at just 22 years old, is only about six weeks older than Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. However, with a full NFL season already under his belt, Stroud has the advantage of experience, making him the “veteran” in comparison to Williams, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. After the Texans’ Sunday Night Football win over the Bears, Stroud seemed eager to impart some of that veteran wisdom to his younger counterpart.
In a moment captured by NFL cameras, Stroud approached Williams during the customary postgame handshakes. What could have been a routine exchange quickly turned into something a little more awkward. Stroud, fresh off his team’s 19-13 victory, began offering advice to Williams, telling him to “stop taking those hits” and assuring him that everything he needed to succeed was already within him.
“Good job out there, bro. Keep going,” Stroud told Williams. “Hey, stop taking those hits. Learn from those mistakes, and everything that you got, bro, is in you already. You’re going to be a hell of a player in this league.”
While Stroud’s words were likely meant as encouragement, Williams’ body language told a different story. The Chicago Bears quarterback appeared visibly frustrated, with an expression that seemed to say he wasn’t in the mood for a lecture—especially from a peer so close in age. It was clear from his demeanor that Williams was eager to end the conversation and move on, making it one of the more awkward postgame moments between two young stars.
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Williams’ frustration may have been rooted in the tough game he had just endured. In the Bears’ loss, he completed 23 of 37 passes for 174 yards but threw two interceptions and took seven sacks. The former Heisman Trophy winner has struggled to find his rhythm in his rookie season, completing just 56% of his passes for 267 yards, with zero touchdowns and two interceptions through the first two games. On top of that, Chicago’s offensive struggles have been further highlighted by a viral clip of new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron visibly shaking while calling plays, adding to the mounting pressure on Williams and the Bears’ offense.
In contrast, Stroud has enjoyed a hot start to his sophomore campaign, completing 69% of his passes for 494 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions through his first two games—both victories for the Texans. His strong performance undoubtedly gave him the confidence to offer advice, but the moment underscored how differently the two quarterbacks’ seasons have started.
As the Bears prepare to face the Indianapolis Colts and fellow rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, Williams will be looking to turn things around and show why he was the top pick in the 2024 draft. Meanwhile, Stroud continues to build on his early success, cementing his status as one of the league’s rising stars.
While Stroud’s intentions seemed good, the incident serves as a reminder that advice, no matter how well-meaning, isn’t always welcomed—especially in the heat of competition.
For Williams, the focus will be on bouncing back, and for Stroud, it’s about continuing his upward trajectory.
Either way, both quarterbacks are part of a new generation of NFL talent, and their paths will likely cross many more times in the future.
