Perhaps the Texans' biggest decision of this current era was backing out of a proposed trade with the Panthers and Bears in 2023.

Since Stroud didn’t play in the preseason opener last week, he’d only been seen in practice working with the new system under first-year offensive coordinator Nick Caley.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud may have ruffled some feathers in his home city on Saturday morning when he was seen walking into a Texans preseason game

Before Caley joined McVay's staff with the Rams in early 2023, Caley learned under McDaniels and other New England coaches from 2015 through the 2022 season. Of course, legendary quarterback Tom Brady earned six of his seven career Super Bowl rings while playing in McDaniels' offense.

On Thursday, the two reunited when Stroud’s Houston Texans hosted Young’s Carolina Panthers for a joint practice ahead of Saturday’s preseason game. The quarterbacks were all business during drills, with both players making some nice throws during the two-hour workout. Afterward, they took some time to catch up and chat.

Earlier in the week, the Houston Texans were hit with a heartbreaking injury to tight end Brevin Jordan, who went down with a season-ending knee injury during training camp practice, all less than a year removed from his previous ACL tear from his last campaign, limiting him to only two games played.