Longtime Houston football writer John McClain is so sure the Houston Texans will not trade quarterback C.J. Stroud that he’s wagering his dignity on it, promising to walk naked down a busy Houston street if a deal is completed.
It all started with “The McShay Show” podcast hosted by NFL draft analyst Todd McShay. McShay said that multiple teams would be calling around looking for quarterbacks and one of the targets would be Stroud.
“Stroud has not been the guy the last two years in Houston that he was in his rookie year,” McShay said. “Some are looking at that and saying, ‘Can we get that rookie year out of Stroud here?’”
Although the Texans have not given any indication that they would trade their young quarterback, rumors began swirling that Stroud was definitely being moved and proposals began circulating online about what the Texans could receive in a deal.
McClain, 74, saw what had transpired and tried to defuse the talk, threatening to do something drastic if the Texans traded Stroud.
“If CJ Stroud is traded I’ll walk naked down Kirby Drive at rush hour!” McClain proclaimed on X. “Is anyone else willing to do it if he’s NOT traded? Didn’t think so!”
Kirby Drive is one of the busiest streets in Houston.
Last season, Stroud completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. However, like in years past, Stroud struggled in the playoffs.
In the Texans’ two playoff games, he completed just 51.9% of his passes and threw two touchdown passes. In the Texans’ divisional round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, he threw four interceptions.