Questions surround quarterback CJ Stroud as the Texans enter the offseason

Mike Patton

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Questions surround quarterback CJ Stroud as the Texans enter the offseason image

The Houston Texans are officially done, losing to the New England Patriots on the road 28-16. A season that was supposed to be the year the Texans advanced further ended with them in the same spot they were last year: the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs. The defense did its part to help the Texans win, forcing three turnovers and causing problems for the Patriots' offense throughout the game. In fact, they played well enough to win the game. But offensively, the Texans just could not put anything together and more specifically, it looked like CJ Stroud could not get things going in the right direction. In two playoff games, he was 41/79 for 462 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions.

After the loss Sunday, had this to say to the media: “I felt like I let my teammates down.”

While some may say the loss is not all on him, a lot of it is on him due to the forced turnovers. It just seemed like Stroud was never comfortable in the pocket. And with the running game not really showing up in this one, everything was on Stroud's shoulders to win, and he was not prepared for that moment. When pressure was around him, Stroud did not handle it well. A prime example is when he had a free rusher right in front of his face quickly early in the game. He was on the edge of the pocket and did not have enough time to get rid of the football. The wise decision would be to take the sack and play the field position game. But instead, Stroud tried to make a play when there was not one to be made. A Patriots defender hit him as he was throwing, and the pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown.

 Another example of Stroud not valuing the football was his failure to read the defense. It seemed like during the game, he had to see things twice or not see them at all. Even without his favorite weapon, wide receiver Nico Collins, and even after losing tight end Dalton Schultz earlier in the game, he still had guys who were getting open. He just was off on the pass because he waited a beat too long, or he was missing the open man altogether. That part was disappointing to Texans fans because, even in the absence of players, Stroud had people working to help him out. He could not get the ball to them in a position to make a play for him. And sure, some will talk about the weather and its possible effect on Stroud and his ability to handle the football, but not all of that can be blamed on the weather.

 Going forward, Stroud and the Texans have some things to think about. The talented quarterback is entering his fourth year and extension talks will be coming. And on the flip side, the Texans have to consider whether they are even willing to have those discussions this early. Either way it goes, it will be interesting to see what work Stroud puts in this offseason, what adjustments the Texans make to their staff to ultimately atone for this offense not working, and how Stroud comes out next season. With how this season ended, all eyes will be on him in Houston and not the Texans' defense, which was Super Bowl worthy this season.

Senior Editor