C.J. Stroud’s place in the quarterback pecking order is starting to tell the story of where the Houston Texans are right now - and how much the young passer still has to answer for.
Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame slotted Stroud at No. 19 in his preseason ranking of the NFL’s projected starting quarterbacks, putting him in the bottom half of the league rather than near the top tier he occupied in the wake of his rookie breakout. That’s a sharp turn from the buzz Stroud carried after his historic 2023 season, when he threw for 4,000 yards, won the AFC South, and helped push Houston to a couple of divisional round playoff appearances.
Verderame didn’t bury the Texans quarterback, but he made the case that the shine has worn off for now.
"Stroud was viewed as a superstar in the making after his 4,000-yard, AFC South-winning rookie season in 2023. Now, with a generational defense behind him led by edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, he’s viewed as the biggest question mark on a loaded roster," Verderame wrote.
He also pointed to the numbers that have fueled the slide in perception.
"Over the past two years, Stroud completed only 65% of his attempts, with 20 interceptions and 75 sacks taken. In each season of his career, Stroud’s passing yardage and touchdown passes have decreased. For Houston to win the Super Bowl, and for Stroud to get a new contract, that trend must reverse."
The ranking lines up with another recent evaluation, too. Earlier this week, NFL personnel had Stroud at No. 20 in their own quarterback rankings, a sign that the skepticism around Houston’s quarterback isn’t limited to media voices.
Still, Stroud is only 24 years old, and this season gives him a clear chance to change the conversation. He’s stepping into a year where the Texans carry Super Bowl expectations, and the roster around him has been upgraded during the offseason to help support a deep run.
There’s also the money piece. Stroud is aiming for a new deal next offseason, and if he puts together a big fourth year, that extension could reach as high as $60 million annually.
That’s what makes this such a pivotal stretch for him. A strong season would do more than quiet the noise. It could put Houston in position for the postseason breakthrough it has been chasing and put Stroud in line to become one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league.
If the progress doesn’t come, though, the questions will only grow louder. After his loss in Foxborough last postseason, those questions are already hanging over him.
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