Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had an amazing rookie season. He won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and is looking to take another jump with the franchise in his second season.
A season ago, he completed 63.9% of his passes for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions. One of the key priorities this offseason for Houston is getting more help around Stroud. He is a very special talent already and was the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Ohio State.
Stroud is trying to recruit different players to come to the team for next season. There will be a lot of running backs that will be free agents. Devin Singletary was on the Houston Texans last season and he will also be a free agent.
It is possible that they are trying to not re-sign him so they can bring in somebody better. The running back market this offseason is going to be very interesting to see how it will play out. There is one running back in particular that Stroud is trying to bring on the Texans next season.
C.J. Stroud Wants Saquon Barkley on the Houston Texans Next Season
Apparently, Stroud is close friends with Barkley and he is a super talent. He has played with the New York Giants since the 2018 season and is 27 years old. Barkley was the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Barkley would be an upgrade for the Texans over Devin Singletary from a season ago. Singletary last season with Houston rushed for 898 yards on 216 carries and four touchdowns, along with averaging 4.2 yards per carry. He also caught 30 passes for 193 yards and zero touchdowns and averaged 6.4 yards per reception.
General manager Joe Schoen hasn’t ruled out using the franchise tag on him for the second consecutive season, but would Barkley really want to play on the tag again for the Giants? The Houston Texans have a lot of money to spend this offseason and they can definitely spend it on one of the top running backs in the game. They also have other options if they don’t get Barkley, but this is what Stroud wants also.
A season ago with New York, he rushed for 962 yards on 247 carries and six touchdowns, along with averaging 3.9 yards per carry. Barkley also caught 41 passes for 280 yards receiving and four touchdowns, along with averaging 6.8 yards per carry.
Houston Reporter Aaron Wilson said:
“Saquon Barkley. is a case of him communicating with top players, including C.J. Stroud, about a desire to play here. It is mutual …”
It would be a huge loss for the New York Giants if they lost Barkley in NFL free agency to the Houston Texans. Stroud is becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL after year one. They can maximize the Super Bowl window by getting him talent.