Texans’ C.J. Stroud Says He’s ‘Getting Old’ at 23, ‘I’m Not as Quick as I Used to Be’

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud recently discussed his offseason training trying to improve his quickness, although he is finding it tougher than earlier in his football career (39:33 mark).

During those remarks, the 23-year-old Stroud noted that he feels like he’s “getting old” and that he’s not as fast as he used to be.”

“The program that I was on with [Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Clint Martin] was really good for me. I was in here really early. Just trying to, you know, take a step forward in my…like being 23 (years old), I’m not, like, fully in my grown-man body all the way yet. You know, I’m still growing every, like, every year. And I just think like, I got to just continue to be harder myself about not only just lifting weights but eating the right foods, like, that’s been a big thing too. So, yeah, that’s just a thing where I think the explosiveness comes from, like, being better on my diet, being better with, you know, stretching.

“I feel like I’m getting old. I’m not as quick as I used to be. I was watching my high school stuff a couple of days ago. I was like (180 pounds), and I was rolling. But not no more. But yeah. I try to just be better with that stuff so I can run fast.”

Stroud has notably run more this year (17 carries for 92 yards in four games). Over the first 32 games of his career (two seasons), Stroud rushed 89 times, or 2.8 times per game.

It’s admittedly jarring to hear Stroud say he’s lost some speed at the age of 23, simply because it’s still such a young age and barely into his third NFL season. On the flip side, it does make some sense, as he’s added more weight these days at 218 pounds compared to 180 in his high school days.

As far as the overall picture goes, Stroud and the Texans got off to a rough 0-3 start, with the team scoring just 38 points. However, Houston looked far better in Week 4 in a 26-0 victory. That win was against the winless Titans, but Stroud was sensational, completing 22-of-28 passes for two touchdowns and 224 yards.

The Texans will look for two straight wins on Sunday when they visit the Baltimore Ravens.

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