No, the Texans Shouldn’t Trade C.J. Stroud - And Here’s Why That Idea Needs to Be Put to Rest
Offseasons are made for hot takes, and the NFL never disappoints. But every now and then, a take comes along that’s so bold - so out there - that it forces you to stop and ask: Are we really doing this?
Enter former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who recently suggested on the “Fitz & Whit” podcast that the Houston Texans should consider trading C.J. Stroud… for the right price.
Now, Fitzpatrick isn’t just some talking head. He’s a 17-year NFL vet who’s played for nearly a third of the league.
The man’s seen it all - different systems, different locker rooms, different front office philosophies. His perspective carries weight.
But in this case, it’s worth diving a little deeper into why this particular idea doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
Darnold vs. Mills Isn’t the Comparison That Matters
Fitzpatrick’s take leans on a comparison between Sam Darnold and Davis Mills - two quarterbacks who’ve had their share of ups, downs, and coaching carousel rides.
Let’s break that down.
Darnold was a top-three pick, Mills a third-rounder. Both started their careers in less-than-ideal situations - Darnold with the Jets, Mills with a Texans team in full rebuild mode.
But their paths diverged quickly. Darnold bounced through four teams before landing in Seattle.
Mills, on the other hand, settled into a backup role behind Stroud.
Darnold’s development benefited from some of the sharpest offensive minds in the league - Kyle Shanahan, Kevin O’Connell, Klint Kubiak. Mills? He’s worked with Jerrod Johnson, Pep Hamilton, Bobby Slowik, and Nick Caley - not exactly the same résumé of quarterback whisperers.
And while Mills did go 3-0 in spot starts last season, being a reliable backup and being a franchise QB are two very different jobs. Darnold, for all his inconsistency, helped lead a top-three offense and posted a 14-3 record over two seasons. Mills hasn’t had that kind of impact.
But here’s the thing: this isn’t about Darnold or Mills. It’s about Stroud - and whether trading him makes any sense for a franchise that’s finally found its footing.
Trading C.J. Stroud Would Be a Massive Misstep
Let’s be clear: moving on from C.J. Stroud right now would be a panic move disguised as a chess play.
Stroud is just 24 years old. He’s already got an Offensive Rookie of the Year award, a Pro Bowl selection, and over 10,500 passing yards to his name.
He’s thrown 62 touchdowns to just 25 interceptions, with a 93.5 passer rating. And he’s done all that while going 28-18 as a starter and 3-3 in the postseason.
This isn’t a guy who’s flashed potential - this is a guy who’s produced, consistently, in big moments.
Think back to where the Texans were at the end of the 2022 season: 3-13-1, with no clear direction at quarterback and plenty of questions about the future. If you’d told fans then that within three years, they’d have a young star under center and be a fixture in the AFC Divisional Round, they would’ve signed up for that in a heartbeat.
Stroud hasn’t just stabilized the Texans - he’s elevated them. And that’s not something you give up on lightly.
You Can’t Replicate Lightning in a Bottle
Fitzpatrick pointed to Darnold’s resurgence in Seattle as a reason to consider moving Stroud for assets. But let’s not confuse a rare alignment of circumstances with a repeatable formula.
Darnold’s success with the Seahawks came after four previous stops, a trade involving Geno Smith, and a Vikings front office misstep. That’s not a blueprint - that’s a one-in-a-million sequence of events.
Even then, Darnold needed time, experience, and the right system to finally find his footing. That’s not something you can plan for - and certainly not something you should bank on when you already have a franchise quarterback in-house.
The Texans Don’t Need a Rebuild - They Need Refinement
Yes, the Texans fell short in the playoffs this year. And yes, it’s a big year ahead - one that could define the next phase of this franchise’s growth. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to blow it up and start hoarding picks.
This team isn’t broken. It’s building. The foundation is there - a young, talented quarterback, a defense that’s shown flashes, and a front office that’s made smart moves over the past few seasons.
What they need now is patience, not panic. They need to keep developing Stroud, keep adding weapons around him, and keep improving the roster in key areas. Trading him would be a step backward - a signal that the Texans don’t trust the progress they’ve made.
Players Win Championships - Not “Assets”
Draft picks and cap space are great on paper. But they don’t throw touchdowns.
They don’t convert third-and-long. They don’t lead locker rooms through playoff runs.
C.J. Stroud does all of that. And he’s just getting started.
The Texans don’t need to validate themselves with splashy trades or headline-grabbing moves. They need to stay the course, trust the process, and let their young quarterback continue to grow into the leader he’s already shown he can be.
Because if you’ve got a guy who can win you games in January - and Stroud has already proven he can - you don’t trade him. You build around him.
And right now, the Texans are closer than they’ve been in a long time.