C.J. Stroud isn’t hiding where he thinks the Houston Texans can level up.
As he heads into a pivotal fourth season at quarterback, Stroud believes the offense is ready to move past the uneven stretches that have defined the last three years. Houston’s scoring offense has finished 13th, 19th and 13th over that span, and it has not ranked as a top-10 passing offense since 2023. That kind of production leaves room for more, and Stroud thinks the pieces are in place for a jump.
A big part of that optimism comes from continuity. The Texans are entering their second season with offensive coordinator Nick Caley, who replaced Bobby Slowik after a turbulent 2024 on that side of the ball. Stroud said in an interview with CBS Sports’ Evan Washburn that the two had to work through an adjustment period early in 2025, but the connection has grown since then.
“Early on, I felt like we had some things where we were figuring each other out on playing styles, the system, trying to keep it on the system but also make it tailored to the guys," Stroud said of his relationship with Caley. "I think he's done a great job."
"Me and his relationship has grown. We talk a lot, try to communicate as much as we can, and I’m in his office a bunch.
It’s nice to have somebody who wants to see you succeed and wants the best for you. I think this year we’ll take another step and be better than we were last year.”
Stroud also pointed to the way last season tested him. He said the ups and downs on offense only added to the adversity he’s already dealt with, and he’s comfortable leaning into that challenge.
"The work that I've put in over the years, adversity I've been through, this isn't new to me," Stroud said. "I've been through a bunch in my career, from high school, to playing at Ohio State, to now playing here in the NFL."
"I'm used to adversity, I'm used to people not believing in me... But I also know that people do. And the work that I do, I'm proud of myself on the offseason that I've had, the steps that I've taken."
He also looked back at what the Texans left on the table during their 12-5 regular season. All five of their losses came by one score, and in four of those games the opponent scored 20 points or fewer. Houston’s defense did its part; the offense didn’t always match it.
"If we go back and look at some of the games we had, a lot one score games, we win those games we could be on top of the AFC maybe even the best team in the league."
Stroud said those close games can serve as a roadmap for what needs to change.
"I think we're a group that is seeing what it looks like when we're rolling, and those games where we're a little bit off... If we go back and look at some of the games we had, a lot of one-score games, we win those games we could be on top of the AFC, maybe even the best team in the league," Stroud said.
"So, it's capable for us. I believe that the work that we've put in during OTAs, and now going into training camp, we'll be able to take the next step."
The Texans still have camp and preseason ahead before they open the 2026 season against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 at home. But Stroud’s confidence is already loud and clear, and that matters for a team trying to turn promise into something more consistent.
In Other News...
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Texans May Be Seeing The C.J. Stroud Piece They Need Most
A useful subplot in Texans training camp is starting to take shape, and it involves C.J. Stroud and Jayden Higgins getting more comfortable with each other. On Day 2, Stroud hit Higgins on a notable sideline throw, the kind of rep that does not decide anything on its own but can matter a lot when a young quarterback is sorting out who he trusts when the field shrinks.
DeMeco Ryans has already pointed to Higgins growth and the potential for him to become a real threat on the opposite side of Nico Collins, which is exactly why this connection is worth tracking. Houston has plenty of reason to keep an eye on how quickly that chemistry develops, because if Higgins can become a reliable target for Stroud, it changes how defenses have to play the Texans from down to down. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Get Big Validation For Braden Smith And David Montgomery
The Texans spent the 2026 offseason trying to make life easier for their offense, and the early returns on two of their biggest moves are getting noticed. Houston brought in offensive lineman Braden Smith from the Colts and running back David Montgomery from the Lions, two additions aimed squarely at shoring up pass protection and giving the ground game more punch.
ESPN analyst Matt Bowen included both players among the offseasons top 30 most impactful acquisitions, a useful bit of validation for a team trying to change its offensive identity. For Houston, the appeal is obvious: Smith is there to help stabilize the front, while Montgomery gives the Texans a dependable back who can help them stay on schedule and take pressure off the passing game. [Read more 🡒]