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C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans reacts after a 28-16 loss against the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Playoffs
The Houston Texans’ season is over, ending against the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Playoffs, and there will be a lot of discussion around quarterback C.J. Stroud. The No. 3 overall pick of the 2023 draft, Stroud has led the Texans to the postseason in all three years.
On Sunday, though, in the biggest game of the Texans’ season and, arguably, franchise history, Stroud had what was inarguably the worst performance of his career, regular season or playoffs.
So much so that there were national calls for his benching during the game.
C.J. Stroud Struggles as Texans Ousted From Postseason
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans walks off the field after being defeated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Stroud spoke candidly at the Texans’ postgame podium, noting that he is always “confident,” but that it “hurt” him to play how he did and that he felt he “let people down.” He said he was not “happy” with the outing but would indeed learn from it.
Stroud vowed to return better for the experience, and he said he never feared being benched.
According to NFL Researcher (aka Tom Holzman-Escareno) on X, Stroud became “the first player with 5+ INT and 5+ fumbles in a single postseason.”
Stroud finished the game with 212 yards, 1 touchdown, and 4 interceptions on 42.5% completion for the Texans in the 28-16 loss on Sunday afternoon. At one point, Stroud had thrown three interceptions in seven pass attempts.
That was part of a stretch in which Stround and the Texans ended four of six drives with INTs.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo posted on X during the first half, “DeMeco Ryans has to at least be strongly considering Davis Mills at this point.”
DeMeco Ryans Supports C.J. Stroud
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 and Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans talk on the sideline during a game against the Seattle Seahawks.
It was Mills who began the Texans’ nine-game winning streak to end the season. He took over for Stroud for three games while the latter recovered from a concussion suffered in Week 9. Multiple media figures wondered aloud about a potential in-game switch.
However, Mills, the Texans’ former starter and a 2021 third-round pick, has accepted his role.
Garafolo later noted Ryans expressed support for Stroud during an interview before halftime, with the Texans trailing 21-10.
Ryans echoed those sentiments after the game, saying, “C.J.’s our guy. I believed that he could come back out in the second half and flip it. Believed that he can play better, and he did that in the second half. He did play better. We had some positive drives there in the second half. I believed he could do that, and he did that.”
Ryans, who said he uplifted Stroud and never considered benching him, shouldered the blame for the Texans’ shortcomings. The head coach was not in a reflective mood about the Texans’ offseason plans immediately after the game.
The Texans have several pressing items to address, potentially including Stroud.
Texans’ Loss Sparks Strong Reactions
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans leaves the field after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs.
Regardless of Stroud’s performance, it was also quite clear that the Texans still have plenty of work to do on their roster.
“Without #Texans defensive effort, including five sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception, this game isn’t even close,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson posted on X on January 18. “Top-ranked defense leads a lopsided team. Offense has to make tangible improvements in every area to get to and win football games like this in the future.”
The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander agreed, noting on X that “The #Texans will have tough decisions in the coming weeks on how to fix this offense, which will be the No. 1 priority in the offseason.
However, Stroud’s future looms largest.
He will be extension-eligible this offseason. Stroud could receive a historic–at least for the franchise, if not the entire NFL–deal.
Stroud’s performance in Sunday’s contest could impact the Texans’ logic. The Texans could remember life before the former Ohio State Buckeyes star and secure him for the future. They must also remain flexible enough to continue building out their roster.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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