AFC Notes: Doug Pederson, DeMeco Ryans, C.J. Stroud, Jaguars, Texans

Jaguars

Jaguars HC Doug Pederson spoke about having a conversation with OC Press Taylor to let him know their offensive performances need to improve.

“I communicated with Press and the offensive staff, you know, no more or less than I usually do,” Pederson said, via John Shipley of SI.com. “I think grabbing their attention at halftime and just letting them know that the first 30 minutes was unacceptable. It’s not up to what our standards are and our expectations, including my expectations for this football team. I say we’re too good, we’ve got the pieces, but we’re not playing well. So, they came out, they executed extremely well. We got it back to that 17-10 mark and then the kickoff return happened. Those are just the moments that, right now, are just keeping us from pushing through this wall, getting over this hump, right? Those are the things, those are the moments that every man in there takes ownership and accountability. We just can’t let those happen.”

Texans

Texans first-round QB C.J. Stroud put an exclamation point on a hot start to his NFL career with an upset, 20-point win over the Jaguars. Stroud also joined some rare company by passing the 900-yard mark in his first three starts. The Texans aren’t favored in many games going forward, but Stroud is making his case to change that. 

“We’re grown men,” Stroud said via NBC Sports’ Peter King. “We’re NFL players. Why can’t we win any game we show up to play? That Jacksonville team’s a top 10 team in the NFL, but we knew we could play with them. I’m nobody’s fish. I’m not somebody a team can tee off on. I compete. We all compete. The way I look at it, all pressure is a privilege. It helps me prepare, it helps me win. I love it.”

Texans

Texans TE Brevin Jordan said winning the final game in 2022, dropping to second-overall, and selecting first-round QB C.J. Stroud was the best thing that could’ve happened for the franchise.

“The best thing that happened to the Houston Texans’ franchise was us beating the Indianapolis Colts last game, last year,” Jordan said, via DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN. “We drafted the right guy. Man, he’s a leader. He’s a phenomenal player and a phenomenal guy with God-given talent. Dude, he’s unbelievable.”

Stroud humbly gave credit to the team’s supporting cast for his early success.

“I have great guys around me,” Stroud said. “Nothing I can do without those guys up front battling, the receiver running the right route at the right depth, [offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik] calling the right plays at the right time.”

Texans HC DeMeco Ryans believes Stroud has a ton of potential and credited him for continuing to improve on a weekly basis.

“Sky is the limit for C.J.,” Ryans said. “He just keeps his head down and keeps working. C.J. is a very humble young man. Everything starts with the quarterback, and we have a good one who’s doing really good things. He’s improved every week. And that’s what I like and admire about C.J. is he’s dialed into improvement every week. He’s not satisfied. He’s been a leader for us as an offensive unit, and it’s impressive to see a young man continue to get better each week and lead that group.“