Houston Texans second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud is getting ready for 2025.
He’s leaving everything, including a trip to Orlando, in 2024.
Stroud, who guided Houston to its second AFC South division title in as many seasons, will not participate in the Pro Bowl games with five other Texans players later this week. According to ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime, he was invited as an alternate but declined.
Stroud wants to be the reason why Houston competes for a Super Bowl title in 2025. While the offense should look different following the firing of offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, he too must improve on his numbers.
Don’t expect #Texans QB C.J. Stroud to be at the Pro Bowl.
He was invited as an alternate but declined per source.
I think this is the start of an offseason of him putting his head down and getting to work.
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) January 27, 2025
Even with insufficient play designs under Slowik, Stroud struggled to regain his Offensive Rookie of the Year confidence. After becoming the fifth rookie in league history to throw for over 4,000 yards, Stroud regressed, tossing 20 touchdown passes against 12 interceptions for 3,727 yards.
The two-time Heisman finalist also completed a career-low 63.2% of his threw for 7.0 yards per attempt and posted an 87.0 passer rating.
During his end-of-the-year presser, Stroud said he would look back on the campaign and “self-scout” what needs to be corrected internally to help Houston get over the 10-win hump in 2025.
He also said he plans to relax for a bit to get his mind in the right space before attacking the offseason.
“It’s not a crime to take care of yourself and I’ll probably do that a little bit like take a week off or something and then hit it hard and get my body right,” Stroud said. “I don’t think it’s a secret anymore that I can run a little bit, so I have to get my body right to make sure I can take some of those hits and be ready for next year.”
Wide receiver Nico Collins, running back Joe Mixon, offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, defensive end Danielle Hunter and All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. will represent Houston during the Pro Bowl game this week at Camping World Stadium.