When Nick Chubb landed in Space City, all eyes naturally turned to CJ Stroud. The face of the franchise just got a big-name running back in the huddle. “He’s a great player. I met him today for the first time,” Stroud said during day two of Texans minicamp. “I told him I’ve been respecting his game since he was in college… I think he could do some great things for us.” That respect runs deep—Stroud even admitted he got nervous meeting Chubb. But the bigger story? That excitement is mutual.
Chubb is also vibing with the entire unit—and that includes the guy under center. “I love most about the guys that surround me in the huddle,” Chubb said at training camp. “The big guys up front, the receivers, tight ends, and CJ. A bunch of guys who play with intent, who love to practice, love to work hard and get better every day.” That shoutout to CJ says it all—he’s earned the respect of vets who’ve been through the grind.
This Texans offense could finally find real balance if the run game clicks early. After all, a backfield tandem that features Chubb brings explosiveness the Texans haven’t seen in a while. Still, even with Chubb now part of the mix, Stroud’s being warned not to lean too heavily on him.
After all, DeMeco Ryans isn’t sugarcoating anything. “Guys age. He’s been through a lot. It’s not always gonna be the same as his early years in the NFL,” Ryans said on The Coachspeak Index. “But what I hang my hat on with him is that this guy loves football… really sharp guy in the protection scheme.” The message? Don’t rely on nostalgia—trust Chubb’s grit, not just his resume.
Demeco Ryans on Nick Chubb, via @CoachspeakIndex:
“Guys age. He’s been through a lot. It’s not always gonna be the same as his early years in the NFL, but what I hang my hat on with him is that this guy loves football. He’s physical, he plays and prepares the right way, really… pic.twitter.com/KSUaJPsSTa
— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) July 29, 2025
And yes, that resume is gold. Seven seasons in The Land, over 6,800 rushing yards, 1,000 receiving, and 56 total TDs. Four Pro Bowl nods. But now with the spotlight firmly on CJ Stroud, there’s no excuse left in H-Town.
No excuses left for CJ Stroud and the Texans
DeMeco Ryans, the same coach who helped Nico Collins shine, is still in charge. And right now, he might be the one man capable of turning a setback into a stepping stone. Heading into Year 3, Stroud isn’t dealing with another rebuild. This time, the locker room vibe is different. The culture check has passed. The huddle feels stable. And veterans like Sheldon Rankins can feel it.
“The coach is set now, obviously, new coach comes in, working overtime to try to get his identity imprinted within the framework of the team… getting the team to function without him having to say every little thing over and over again,” Rankins shared. “Same quarterback leading the team… his culture is set.”
Not to mention, the defense Ryans built in 2024 didn’t just look sharp—it was a top-10 unit. From the trenches to the deep coverage, the Texans were finally tough to beat. That kind of grit starts at the top, and it’s bleeding through the roster.
More importantly, Ryans isn’t getting soft with success. As Rankins said, “I used to think culture was overrated… but the SWARM mindset and what DeMeco has built changed my view.” And when asked what’s next, Ryans was clear: “Getting better protection for C.J. is definitely a main point of emphasis for us… he’s a pretty good quarterback.”
Now that H-Town’s base is complete, CJ Stroud must prove he’s ready for takeoff.
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