The Houston Texans’ playoff run came to a screeching halt on Sunday, falling 28-16 to the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round - and with it, questions about C.J. Stroud’s development came roaring back into focus.
Stroud, who took the league by storm in his rookie year, looked out of sync from the opening snap. He completed just 20 of 47 passes for 212 yards, one touchdown, and four costly interceptions - all of which came in the first half. That avalanche of turnovers buried the Texans early and gave the Patriots all the momentum they needed to dictate the game on their terms.
The performance drew sharp commentary from Hall of Famer Troy Aikman during the ESPN broadcast. Aikman didn’t mince words, suggesting Stroud has yet to build on the promise he showed in Year 1.
“C.J. Stroud has been chasing his rookie success for the last two years,” Aikman said.
“He’s not been the same player. We’ve not seen the development from him.
There’s a reason for that, and it has to be addressed.”
It’s a tough pill to swallow for Texans fans who watched Stroud light up defenses in his debut season, throwing for over 4,100 yards and 23 touchdowns en route to winning Offensive Rookie of the Year. That version of Stroud looked like the franchise cornerstone Houston has been searching for. But two years later, the consistency and growth expected from a young star quarterback haven’t materialized.
Sunday’s game was a microcosm of those struggles. Stroud’s decision-making under pressure unraveled quickly, and New England’s defense made him pay for every misstep.
The Patriots dialed up a smart, disciplined game plan that took away the Texans’ rushing lanes and forced Stroud to win with his arm - something he couldn’t do effectively in this one. Houston managed just 48 rushing yards on 22 carries, putting even more pressure on the passing game to deliver.
There were few bright spots for the Texans’ offense, but rookie wideout Jayden Higgens continued to show promise, hauling in six catches for 59 yards. Christian Kirk added a touchdown on one of his two receptions, but beyond that, the Texans struggled to generate any rhythm or explosive plays.
Trailing 21-10 at halftime, Houston never really threatened to flip the script. The Patriots controlled the pace, leaned on their defense, and closed the door on any hopes of a Texans comeback.
Now comes the hard part for Houston: the offseason. The Texans have work to do - not just in terms of roster upgrades through the draft and free agency, but also in evaluating their coaching staff and internal development plans.
The Stroud question looms largest. He’s still young, still talented, and still capable of being the guy.
Troy Aikman: "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. There's a reason for that, and it has to be addressed." 🏈🎙️ #NFL #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/nmAgXfxItQ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 18, 2026
But the clock is ticking, and Year 4 will be pivotal.
The Texans believed they had their quarterback of the future. They still might. But after Sunday’s performance, it’s clear they’ve got to figure out how to get him back on track - and fast.