Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud addressed the media on Wednesday, clarifying the nature of his interaction with Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams after their game on Sunday night. Social media had been buzzing about their postgame handshake, with some fans speculating that Stroud might have been trying to "little bro" Williams—a term implying a condescending attitude or trying to assert dominance over someone. But Stroud made it clear that wasn't his intention at all.
During the Texans' 19-13 victory over the Bears on Sunday Night Football, Stroud was mic'd up, which made their postgame exchange available for public scrutiny. After the game, Stroud, who had just led his team to a hard-fought win, approached Williams, the No. 1 pick, to offer some advice. He congratulated Williams by saying, "Good job out there," before urging him to "stop taking those hits." This came after Williams had endured a rough night, being sacked seven times and hit 11 times while going 23-for-37 with 174 passing yards and two interceptions.
Williams, seemingly in a hurry to leave the field after the tough loss, began to walk away from the conversation. But Stroud wasn’t done yet. He gently pulled Williams back, telling him, “Come here. Learn from those mistakes. And everything that you got, bro, is in you already, bro. You’re going to be a hell of a player in this league.” It was a moment of veteran advice from one young quarterback to another.
Now, many might expect an interaction like this to be welcomed, but social media quickly latched onto Williams’ body language. To some, it appeared as though Williams was dismissive, brushing off Stroud’s attempt to offer him guidance. However, Stroud emphasized that he never intended to belittle Williams or come across as superior. Instead, he felt it was an opportunity to pay forward the advice and support that he had received during his own rookie season.
"I was not trying to little bro him or anything. He knows that, too. I have a ton of respect for him," Stroud explained during his Wednesday press conference. "I had so many guys coming to me after games last year, and that meant the world to me. Those guys even thinking about giving me advice—whether it was just a word of encouragement or something specific to improve on—it really helped me. So, I just try to give back to what the game has given me. I wish him nothing but the best, man. I want him to do amazing in this league, and I think he will."
Stroud’s comments really reflect a sense of camaraderie and mentorship that often exists among NFL players, especially those who have walked in each other's shoes. Stroud knows firsthand the pressures that come with being a highly touted quarterback, especially in your first year in the league. It wasn’t long ago that Stroud himself was in Williams’ position, fielding advice from seasoned players and learning from every game, win or lose.
One of the key takeaways from Stroud’s remarks is that he understands how tough losses can weigh on a player, particularly someone like Williams, who’s not just adjusting to the NFL but is also under immense pressure as the No. 1 overall pick. "I don't think he was trying to be any type of way [toward me]. He was just upset that they lost," Stroud said. "I totally understand that. So I have a ton of respect for that guy, man."
It's not uncommon for players, especially quarterbacks, to have a range of emotions after a game. Williams’ response—or lack of one—might have just been a reflection of the frustration from the night’s events. Getting sacked seven times in a game will do that to anyone. And Stroud, understanding this, didn’t take offense or read too much into it.
Interestingly, when asked about the exchange during his own postgame news conference, Williams downplayed the incident. "We shook hands at the end of the game. That was about it," Williams said, keeping his comments brief and focusing on moving forward from the loss rather than the conversation with Stroud.
For fans watching the interaction unfold, it’s a reminder that there’s often more to these postgame moments than what we see on the surface or what goes viral online. Stroud and Williams are both young quarterbacks trying to navigate the challenges of the NFL, and mutual respect is at the core of these interactions, even if it doesn’t always look that way.
The importance of mentorship in the NFL can’t be overstated, especially when it comes to quarterbacks. These are players who face immense pressure every week, tasked with leading their teams both on and off the field. Stroud’s willingness to offer advice to Williams, despite being just a second-year player himself, speaks volumes about the culture within the league. It's a league where veterans help rookies, and where lessons learned are often shared freely in hopes of making the game better for everyone involved.
Stroud’s gesture also highlights the challenges young quarterbacks face in the NFL. It’s a position that demands not just physical skill but mental toughness, leadership, and the ability to handle adversity. Williams, being sacked multiple times and facing intense defensive pressure, is already experiencing some of the rougher aspects of life as an NFL quarterback. But as Stroud pointed out, it’s all part of the learning curve, and it’s clear that he sees great potential in Williams.
What makes this story even more exciting is the potential future rivalry between these two young quarterbacks. Both Stroud and Williams have already shown flashes of brilliance in their early careers, and as they continue to grow and develop, fans can look forward to many more matchups between the two. With Stroud’s Texans and Williams’ Bears potentially meeting in more high-stakes games down the road, this brief postgame interaction could just be the beginning of a long and exciting chapter in their respective careers.
To wrap it all up, Stroud’s actions on Sunday were a reflection of the respect he has for the game and for his fellow players. Rather than a moment of condescension, it was an attempt to pass on valuable wisdom—something that Stroud himself benefited from during his rookie year. And while social media might have interpreted things differently, it’s clear from both quarterbacks’ statements that the interaction was rooted in respect, not rivalry. As both players continue to grow in the league, it’s these kinds of moments that will likely shape their journeys—and maybe, just maybe, we’ll see them facing off in even bigger games in the years to come.
Login