The Houston Texans-Indianapolis Colts rivalry is getting a lot of offseason smoke ahead of their Week 1 faceoff.
Earlier this offseason, Colts linebackers Zaire Franklin and E.J. Speed tossed shade at C.J. Stroud and the Texans. Franklin noted at one point, "I need to see that boy again," while Speed added that he respects Stroud but is "going to (mess) C.J. up for the rest of his career."
Stroud was asked about the Colts' comments on the "Million Dollaz Worth of Game" podcast that dropped this week.
"A lot of dudes come on these podcasts, 'Oh yeah, I'm going to hit C.J. in his face, I'm going to get him next year,' " Stroud said, via the Houston Chronicle. "Where I'm from, we say, 'Why didn't you do something when you were mad?' You were mad right there: Do something. You could have made hella plays, bro. You could have made plays, dog. You could have shut me up right there, but you didn't. So what makes you think you're gonna do it now? And if you do, I'm gonna come back, bro. For real. This ain't for no play, bro. Come on."
Stroud embraced the back-and-forth with the AFC South rivals.
"I'm excited," Stroud said. "We play them at their place. It's going to be rocking. Indy hates me already and I love it."
Stroud made it clear that he respects Franklin, Speed, and the rest of the Colts, but he's not backing down either.
"Bro's got game, but like, I mean, it's smoke. I ain't tripping," Stroud said when asked about Franklin's comments this offseason. "What are we talking about? I'm coming, too. Bro, like come on. I'm like that, too, dog. I respect you because he just got paid. Shout out to bro, I'm happy for you, bro, I want to see any Black man get paid in this league, anybody in general. You deserve that money, bro. He's a good player, but man, he knows … and that's what I like: two dogs ready to rumble."
Rumble they will in Week 1 in Indianapolis.
