In Las Vegas, Nevada, the NFL Honors ceremony commenced Thursday evening, with the Houston Texans’ rookie quarterback, C.J. Stroud, clinching the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year title. Joining Stroud in the rookie awards spotlight was his teammate and fellow draft pick, Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., who secured the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year accolade.
This year marks the second consecutive instance where members of the same team have swept the rookie awards, following the New York Jets’ achievement last year. Stroud’s win marks the franchise’s inaugural Offensive Rookie of the Year award, while Anderson joins the ranks of Brian Cushing and DeMeco Ryans as Texans who have earned the Defensive Rookie award.
Stroud secured an overwhelming victory, obtaining 48 of the 50 first-place votes over the Rams’ Puka Nacua. Meanwhile, Anderson received 16 first-place votes, surpassing his closest competitors, Jalen Carter and Kobie Turner, who each garnered 14 votes.
Texans’ head coach, Ryans, was in the running for the AP Coach of the Year, narrowly missing out to Cleveland’s Kevin Stefanski by a single first-place vote, according to the Associated Press.
Prior to the ceremony, Stroud had already secured the NFL fan-voted Rookie of the Year award.
However, the most eagerly awaited moment for Texans fans was whether the Pro Football Hall of Fame would extend an invitation to the team’s legendary wide receiver, Andre Johnson, to Canton, Ohio.
Johnson, wearing the No. 80 jersey, has officially earned his spot in the Hall of Fame. His induction comes in his third year of eligibility and third year as a finalist. Johnson joins first-ballot inductees Julius Peppers, Dwight Freeney, Patrick Willis, and Devin Hester for the class of 2024, alongside senior category inductees Randy Gradishar and Steve McMichael.
Johnson’s induction marks the first for a player drafted by the Houston Texans.
The NFL Honors event featured several Texans nominees across various categories, including the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Additionally, Texans’ head coach DeMeco Ryans and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik were nominated for AP Coach of the Year and AP Assistant Coach of the Year, respectively.
