Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud clarified that he had no intention of belittling Chicago Bears rookie Caleb Williams during their postgame interaction on Sunday night, following the Texans’ 19-13 win. The exchange, which quickly went viral on social media, sparked widespread commentary, particularly focusing on Williams’ apparent attempt to walk away from the conversation before Stroud motioned for him to return.
Stroud, the former No. 2 overall pick, offered words of advice to Williams, who was sacked seven times during the game, warning him to “stop taking those hits” in order to preserve his health and longevity in the league. Stroud also took a moment to encourage Williams, expressing confidence in the Bears’ No. 1 overall pick by telling him that he was going to be a “hell of a player” in the NFL.
In response to the online speculation surrounding the exchange, Stroud addressed the situation on Wednesday. “I was not trying to ‘little bro’ him or anything. He knows that, too,” Stroud said, according to ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime. “I have a ton of respect for him.” Stroud explained that he was simply paying forward the kind of guidance he received from veteran players during his rookie season. “I had so many guys coming to me after games last year, and that meant the world to me that those guys even thought about giving me advice.”
Stroud also emphasized that he did not take Williams’ body language as a sign of disrespect, attributing it instead to the frustration of the loss. “I totally understand,” Stroud said. “I’ve been there before, so I have a ton of respect for that guy, man.”
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Caleb Williams, who has struggled to find his footing in the early stages of his NFL career, has completed just 56.1% of his passes for 267 yards, thrown two interceptions, and has yet to record a touchdown through his first two games. Moreover, he has been sacked a league-high nine times, raising concerns about the level of protection he’s receiving from his offensive line.
Despite the tough start, Stroud’s words of encouragement highlight the mutual respect between two young quarterbacks, both of whom are navigating the challenges of the NFL in different stages of their careers.
While Williams has faced early struggles, Stroud’s message serves as a reminder of the perseverance required to succeed at the highest level.
