Texans first to open camp, deny complacency

From worst to first and now the hunted, things changed rapidly for the Houston Texans under the direction of general manager Nick Caserio.

Houston was the first NFL team to start training camp with an on-field workout Thursday, turning the page from the offseason and putting to rest the turnaround 2023 season that marked the Texans' return to the playoffs as AFC South division champions.

Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans are going out of their way to make sure complacency isn't part of the summertime menu after a 10-win season was capped with a wildcard playoff win over the Cleveland Browns.

"I think we all understand the challenges in front of us. I mean, regardless of what happened last year, how much success, an individual player as a team, we had or didn't have doesn't really matter. You kind of have to start from scratch," Caserio said. "You kind of have to reestablish your level of performance, reestablish your foundation. And that's what training camp is about, and it's no different for C.J. (Stroud) as it is for any other player."

Stroud won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and is already drawing support at sportsbooks as an MVP candidate in his second season as Houston's quarterback.

Complacent doesn't describe Caserio's approach in the offseason, acquiring wide receiver Stefon Diggs, running back Joe Mixon and defensive end Danielle Hunter.

"Every year it's the same thing. Just try to put together the best team that we feel possible," he said. "Take advantage of our opportunities and however we allocate the resources, we allocate the resources. We think we have a good team, but I mean, it doesn't really matter. It's all about action and not about talk."

Houston starts the preseason in less than two weeks with a matchup against the Chicago Bears in Canton, Ohio. The new assembly of talent was together on the field Thursday and Stroud couldn't help but smile.

"I want to definitely attack more downfield this year," Stroud said after throwing to Diggs and his new collection of receivers. "It's a five-headed monster. It's super-dope to have a bunch of options."

--Field Level Media