'Phenomenal Player': Joe Mixon Thrilled to Join Texans QB C.J. Stroud

"C.J. is a phenomenal player — he was the Rookie of the Year, and that ain't by no fluke," Mixon said. "I think that we have a great group of guys in this here locker room. I was talking with DeMeco, and there are a lot of guys running around, young, don't know any better, and ready to get after it. 

"I've definitely been fortunate to be a part of something like that, so it's a great thing coming into this situation and basically picking up where I left off. Definitely in a great position here, and excited to start with my new beginnings."

Mixon received a first-hand look at Stroud during the Texans' 30-27 victory over the Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Nov. 12. Stroud finished the game throwing for 356 yards and a touchdown in the win. The game also marked one of six games in which Stroud threw for over 300 passing yards.

Stroud put on a show against his future teammate Mixon, which marks a small sample size of how the 22-year-old quarterback became a Pro Bowler within his first season.

He finished his rookie season with 4,557 total passing yards, including the postseason, which is the second-most in NFL history by a rookie quarterback — trailing only Andrew Luck (4,662) in 2012.