CJ Stroud's advice to Caleb Williams — “Learn from those mistakes” — is met with a blank stare
Maybe Caleb Williams He's just not used to someone grabbing him by the shoulders and saying, “Come here.”
Especially when that someone is an opposing quarterback who is only six weeks older than him (and has had an extremely impressive rookie season).
Moments later CJ StroudThe Houston Texans defeated Williams' Chicago Bears 19-13 at home on Sunday. The 22-year-old quarterbacks met at midfield. at NRG Stadium. Stroud had a microphone and looked like a wise veteran offering advice to Williams.
“Good job, stop taking those hits,” Stroud said.
Williams, who was sacked seven times, hit 11 times and had two interceptions, responded with a blank stare. He started to walk away, but Stroud grabbed him by the shoulder pads and pulled him back.
Stroud, who was the revelation of the rookie of the year Last season, he kept giving me advice: “Come here. Learn from those mistakes. And everything you have, bro, you already have inside you. You're going to be a great player in this league.”
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Maybe it was including the word “mistakes” in the comment.
Maybe Williams, the former USC star and 2022 Heisman Trophy WinnerHe just didn't feel like chatting after suffering his first loss as an NFL quarterback.
Maybe he just didn't want to hear it from the guy who finished third in the same 2022 Heisman voting.
But Williams gave the impression he was not enthusiastic about the advice, with some on social media going so far as to say he was “disdainful.”
Stroud made it clear during a news conference Wednesday that he only had good intentions and was not bothered by Williams' reaction.
“I wasn't trying to treat him like a little brother or anything, he knows that too,” Stroud said. “I have a lot of respect for him.”
Read more: Caleb Williams: The wizard who restored USC's football brand
Stroud said he received similar advice last season as a rookie at Ohio State.
“Last year, a lot of players came up to me after games and that meant a lot to me as those players even thought to give me advice,” he said. “So I try to give back what the game is giving me. So I wish him the best. I want him to do amazing in this league. I believe he will.”
Stroud, a standout Rancho Cucamonga High alumnusis maturing quickly, gathering information from all sides to gain an advantage. He heard Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson in “Richard Sherman's Podcast“He divulged how he could fake a coverage to fool a quarterback, so he approached Johnson before Sunday's game and said with a laugh: “I heard your secrets on Richard Sherman's podcast.Dude, with those palms it seems like you can't beat me!
Williams was the first pick in the 2024 NFL draftOne year later Stroud was the second choiceThe two youngsters are likely to enjoy an intense rivalry for the next decade. Their first interaction on the playing field may have been awkward, and perhaps in the next meeting between their teams, Williams will get the upper hand.
“He's upset that they lost,” Stroud said. “I totally understand that.”
Read more: Rancho Cucamonga's CJ Stroud is thriving deep in the hearts of Texans fans
Williams spoke at a press conference On Wednesday, he was not asked about the interaction with Stroud. However, he said it was disconcerting to get beaten up for the first time since USC lost to UCLA in November in its final college game..
“I'm getting used to being hit again, it's been a while,” he said. “It's been since November 18th since I got hit, so I'm getting used to it.”
Williams also said that despite the loss to the Texans, his outlook is optimistic. And he smiled, a stark contrast to the blank look he had when listening to Stroud.
“It's fantastic, it's really amazing,” he said. “You sign up for this position, you sign up for games like that.”
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
