Any fan or observer of the NFL can tell you that Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud is one of the most promising and prolific young passers in the game today. The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year racked up some outstanding numbers last year, throwing for 4,108 yards with 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He guided the team to its first playoff berth since 2019. Along the way, he helped ease the pain of the entire DeShawn Watson debacle. Heading into the 2024 campaign, there were high hopes for Stroud and the Texans, but the squad is limping down the stretch. Injuries have been a factor, but Stroud hasn’t quite taken a step forward this season, either. That’s left some critics questioning whether or not the young passer could be a short-lived success story as a pro.
CJ Stroud, Texans Running Out of Targets
Texans Injuries Hurting CJ Stroud
To be fair, the Texans have lost several receivers this year due to injury. Newcomer and former Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs is out for the season, and both Nico Collins and Tank Dell have been out of action, as well. That’s limited the number of solid targets Stroud has to work with. In recent weeks, tight end Dalton Schultz has been a safety valve for the QB.
Those injuries and inconsistent play were quite evident in the Week 17 thrashing that the Texans received from the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore whipped Houston 31-2 on Christmas Day, with Stroud going 17 of 31 for 185 yards and an interception. Faced with huge odds, the team and their young QB folded against a more seasoned contender.
Still, those who expected the franchise player to step up and lead them to the promised land – despite the setbacks – have been left wanting. More and more, those around The League are starting to wonder if he hit his ceiling as a rookie. Not just based on numbers; but the ‘eye test’, as well.
The proof is in the numbers. Stroud currently has 3,677 yards with 19 TDs, but he’s thrown 12 picks this season. When challenged in the pocket, he’s made some awful throws. The kind he wouldn’t have made in 2023. Even Hall of Famer and commentator Shannon Sharpe recently stated that Stroud has played at a lower level this year.
“What’s happened to CJ Stroud?” asked Sharpe, “He looks and plays like a totally different player. Is it me, or is he different?”
Texans Have Struggled Down the Stretch
Having lost two games in a row, Houston is sputtering as the regular season comes to a close. Still leading the AFC South, they currently stand at 9-7, just one game ahead of the Indianapolis Colts. They close the season on January 5 in Tennesee against the last-place Titans (currently 3-12), as they look to return to the playoffs.
Following their crushing defeat to Baltimore, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans summed it up this way.
“We didn’t execute,” Ryans stated. “You have to execute. Credit to the Ravens… They came out and played really well today. Obviously, we did not. [We’ll] take the next couple of days here to figure things out. As a team, we will just stay together, and figure out a way to come out playing better football.”
The Texans will have to play much better football if they plan to go through the Bills, Chiefs, or Ravens in the postseason. And most importantly, their young quarterback will need to play more like the 2023 version of himself, rather than the Stroud we have seen for most of this year.
Main Photo: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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