After a rough playoff exit for the Houston Texans, the conversation around quarterback C.J. Stroud has taken a sharp turn - and not in the direction anyone expected after his electric rookie campaign. In Cleveland, the buzz isn’t just about the Browns’ offseason plans - it’s about whether they should pick up the phone and make a bold play for Stroud himself.
That’s right. A Browns analyst floated the idea that Cleveland should explore trading for the Texans’ young quarterback, even suggesting that general manager Andrew Berry should offer up the No. 24 overall pick in the upcoming draft to make it happen.
“I think Andrew Berry should pick up the phone,” said Daryl Ruiter during a segment on 92.3 The Fan’s “The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima.” “And if it costs you number 24, I might consider it.”
It’s a provocative idea - and one that instantly brings back memories of the Browns’ blockbuster 2022 trade for Deshaun Watson, a deal that sent multiple first-round picks to Houston and reshaped both franchises. Could Berry really go back to the Texans’ well for another quarterback, just a few years later?
The context here is critical. Stroud’s season ended on a sour note, with a 28-16 playoff loss to the Patriots that saw the young quarterback throw four interceptions. He finished the game 20-of-47 for 212 yards, one touchdown, and those costly turnovers that put Houston in a hole early and sealed their postseason fate.
It was a jarring performance for a player who, at one point, looked like the future of the franchise. Stroud flashed brilliance during the regular season - 3,041 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, just eight interceptions - but the postseason was a different story.
In two playoff games, he turned the ball over a total of 10 times: five interceptions and five fumbles. That’s the kind of stat line that gets noticed, and not in a good way.
In fact, Stroud made some unwanted history. He became the first quarterback in NFL history to record that many combined turnovers in a single postseason. And in the loss to New England, he joined Trevor Lawrence as just the second quarterback since 2000 to throw four interceptions in the first half of a playoff game.
Naturally, the criticism followed. During the broadcast, Hall of Fame quarterback and ESPN analyst Troy Aikman didn’t mince words about Stroud’s trajectory - or the Texans’ offensive direction.
“DeMeco Ryans and Nick Caserio, they’ve got some tough decisions they gotta make about this team on the offensive side of the ball,” Aikman said. “C.J.
Stroud has been chasing his rookie success for the last two years. He’s not been the same player.
We’ve not seen the development from him.”
Aikman also highlighted the postseason turnover problem: “Seven turnovers in the two playoff games. Your most important games of the year - you can’t just overcome that kind of quarterback play.”
That’s the kind of criticism that resonates, especially when it comes from someone like Aikman. And it raises legitimate questions about Stroud’s development and the Texans’ long-term confidence in him.
For the Browns, it’s a fascinating hypothetical. With Deshaun Watson still under contract and coming off another injury-shortened season, Cleveland’s quarterback situation remains murky. The idea of acquiring a young, talented QB like Stroud - even after a shaky postseason - is the kind of swing-for-the-fences move that could reshape the franchise yet again.
Of course, there’s no indication that the Texans are looking to move on from Stroud. But the fact that this conversation is even happening speaks volumes about how quickly fortunes can shift in the NFL.
One year, you’re a rising star. The next, you’re at the center of trade chatter and facing questions about your future.
Stroud’s upcoming offseason will be pivotal. He’s heading into his third year, with a looming fifth-year option decision on the horizon. The Texans will need to decide whether to double down on him as their franchise quarterback - or consider alternatives if the playoff struggles are a sign of deeper issues.
For now, it’s all speculation. But in a league where quarterback play defines everything, and where front offices are always looking for the next big move, don’t be surprised if this idea lingers a little longer than expected.