While being nominated for a Pepsi Zero Sugar-sponsored award is certainly an honor, it’s the Associated Press-backed awards that hold the highest prestige at the end of the year.
The Houston Texans recently unveiled their formidable quartet of C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr., Demeco Ryans, and Bobby Slowik, all of whom earned finalist consideration for AP’s year-end NFL awards.
Stroud’s nomination for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year comes as little surprise, given his exceptional performance as the No. 2 overall draft pick. Setting rookie records from the quarterback position, Stroud faces stiff competition from fellow nominees such as Lions’ tight end Sam LaPorta and Falcons’ running back Bijan Robinson.
Leading all rookie QBs in passing yards and touchdown passes, Stroud also achieved the third-highest passing yards by a rookie in NFL history, solidifying his position as a standout performer.
Teammate Will Anderson Jr., selected as the No. 3 draft pick, earned a spot as a finalist for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Alabama alum’s impressive statistics, including 45 tackles and seven sacks, place him among the elite nominees.
Stroud and Anderson’s potential victories would mark a continuation of the streak of players from the same team winning offensive and defensive rookie awards, following the success of the New York Jets’ Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner in the previous season.
The duo’s remarkable first year wouldn’t have been possible without the guidance of head coach Ryans and offensive coordinator Slowik, who are both finalists for AP Coach of the Year and AP Assistant Coach of the Year, respectively.
Ryans, credited with leading a remarkable turnaround for the Texans, transformed a four-win team into an AFC South-winning 10-victory program in his first year.
Meanwhile, Slowik’s offensive strategy flourished with Stroud at the helm, alongside players like Devin Singletary, Nico Collins, and Noah Brown.
Stroud’s absence from the NFL MVP conversation notwithstanding, the anticipation for the AP awards remains high. Winners will be announced during the NFL Honors ceremony preceding the Super Bowl in Las Vegas on Feb. 8.
In the meantime, Ryans and Stroud have already begun to collect accolades elsewhere, being named NFL Coach and NFL Rookie of 2023 by the Pro Football Writers of America.
