How C.J. Stroud Felt About Caleb Williams’ Alleged Postgame Diss

It’s been a rough start for Caleb Williams, and it seemed like frustration boiled over after “Sunday Night Football” in Week 2.

The Texans earned a narrow victory over the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium. Williams and C.J. Stroud shook hands after the game, and audio from their embrace revealed the Houston star telling Williams not to take so many hits and that he would succeed in the NFL. The 2024 No. 1 pick seemed to brush off his fellow signal-caller’s advice, which rubbed some fans the wrong way.

Williams was pressured on 20 of his dropbacks and credited for seven sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. He didn’t show the talent he displayed at USC in his first two NFL starts, but the postgame encounter didn’t deter Stroud’s confidence in Williams.

“I had some of the best advice given to me last year and me and Caleb, I was not trying to treat him like I was trying to ‘little bro’ him or nothing,” Stroud told reporters Wednesday, per Pro Football Talk. “He knows that, too. I have a ton of respect for him. I told him I have respect for him. But I had so many guys come up to me after games last year and that meant the world to me that those guys even thought about giving me advice. So, I just try to give back to what the game is giving to me. So, I wish him the best.

“I want him to do amazing in this league. I think he will. I think that he’ll get his groove and once you get your rhythm — I didn’t get my rhythm until like Week 3, Week 4. So, I can see his game picking up from here. I don’t think he was trying to be any towards of way, he was just upset that they lost. I totally understand. I have a ton of respect for that guy. I want him to do extremely well just like any other guy until we play on that day. And after the game, we can be cool. But I’m definitely rooting for him and want to see him do extremely well.”

For as much talk as there was about Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers’ mistake to start him right away, Stroud also started right away in his rookie season. And after a lackluster start to his season, the Texans quarterback guided Houston to the playoffs and completely turned around the trajectory of the franchise.

Chicago obviously hopes Williams can make a similar turnaround. Last Sunday might have been a lesson in body language for the rookie, and he’ll hope to learn from his mistakes when the Bears take on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3.