With a 23-year-old Pro Bowl quarterback in C.J. Stroud, who was recently named TIME Magazine’s Most Influential List, and a rising first-team All-Pro wide receiver Nico Collins, the Houston Texans have some wisdom to pass to the next generation going into the 2025-26 season.
Also, the Texans’ addition of veteran running back Nick Chubb and wide receiver Christian Kirk adds a pop to the roster this season. The Texans’ new addition of experienced left tackle Cam Robinson should also help strengthen a young offensive line.
The Defender spoke with the Houston Texans veterans and emerging young leaders to discuss advice they would like to give to young athletes who want to someday walk in their shoes.
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans Pro Bowl Quarterback
“I would say you don’t get to this position without grinding. For the guys who are trying to get to the positions, like high school, college, whatever, like work ethic, like you said, it’s key. You have to put in the work, put in the time. That’s huge. For the guys already in the league, I think they’ve done that. They wouldn’t be here if they didn’t. For the guys who are in the league, confidence. I was talking to our broadcast team, and they were like, ‘What are the two things you wish you didn’t hear coming into the league?’ The two things I explained were how hard it’s going to be. I don’t believe in putting my own convictions on people. I think it’s like a scare tactic to make you want to play harder or work harder, but I think the guys in positions to be starting quarterbacks or backups, whatever the case may be, they naturally work hard, they put in the work. If you don’t, you kind of get weeded out. So, I don’t agree with like everybody saying how hard it is. Yes, it’s hard. Every level is hard. You go from high school to college, it’s hard. You go from college to the NFL, it’s hard. That’s kind of a prerequisite and you know that coming into it. The second thing was interceptions. It’s part of the game. Of course, you don’t want to throw interceptions. It’s not something where you’re like, ‘I’m just going to throw it up.’ But you know, it’s part of the game. The great quarterbacks know how to throw an interception and move on, know how to get a completion after and get your rhythm back. Those are the things that I would say to them. I love what this league is bringing. There’s a bunch of young guys that I think will be really good. I’m excited to compete against them this year.”
Nico Collins, All-Pro Wide Receiver
“Just take it one day at a time. Build it brick by brick. You can’t get everything you want at once. Remember your mission, remember your why, continue to grow. And whatever you think you need to work on, continue to work on that. Don’t get comfortable and continue to have a growth mindset.”
Nick Chubb, Houston Texans Running Back
“Just continue to work hard. Every challenge, every day you got to go get it no matter how you feel. There is no excuse.”
Christian Kirk, Houston Texans Wide Receiver
“Stay consistent to your approach, lean into the support that is around you and just be present every single day. Don’t look too far ahead and just keep the end goal in mind.”
Cam Robinson, Houston Texans Left Tackle
“I always tell young guys to take it one day at a time. Take it one play at a time. One series at a time. One week at a time. One year at a time because you never know how far you’ll go when you have that kind of mindset.”
