CJ Stroud’s playoff performance this year wasn’t what Houston fans had hoped for - no sugarcoating that. The Texans’ young quarterback struggled to find his rhythm against a relentless Patriots defense in the AFC Divisional Round, completing just 20 of 47 passes for 212 yards, one touchdown, and a trio of costly interceptions. It was a tough outing, especially for a player who’s already shown flashes of brilliance early in his career.
But despite the stumble, the Texans aren’t hitting the panic button. In fact, they’re doubling down on their belief in Stroud as the franchise quarterback.
General manager Nick Caserio made that clear during a recent appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, where he not only backed Stroud but emphasized the importance of sticking with players through the highs and lows that come with the NFL grind.
“I think the big thing about DeMeco, we believe in our players, and you want to instill confidence in them, understanding there's going to be some ups and downs that you're going to have to endure,” Caserio said. “Every player goes through that. CJ went through that during the course of the season, and that game was a microcosm of some of the things early in the year, but it's going to happen.”
Caserio’s message was clear: setbacks are part of the process. And for a third-year quarterback still developing in a league that rarely offers growing pains without scrutiny, that support from the front office matters. The Texans see Stroud’s playoff struggles not as a red flag, but as a learning opportunity - a moment to grow from, not dwell on.
“So how do you bounce back? How do you handle those things?
And hopefully you learn from them,” Caserio continued. “Then you get to the offseason - what are some things that you can correct?
So that’s where the focus is going to be. But he’s played a lot of good football for us for three years now, and excited for where we are heading into year four.”
And let’s be honest - it’s not like Stroud’s 2025 season was a wash. Through 14 games, he threw for over 3,000 yards with 19 touchdowns to eight interceptions, while also adding 209 yards and a score on the ground.
Those aren’t MVP numbers, but they’re certainly solid for a young quarterback still finding his ceiling. In the playoffs, he added 462 passing yards and two touchdowns, though the five interceptions will be the stat he - and the team - will want to clean up moving forward.
The Texans' defense has been the backbone of this team, showing flashes of championship-level play. But offensively, it's still a work in progress.
That inconsistency reared its head again in the postseason, and it’s clear the offense hasn’t quite caught up to the defense’s level. That’s where the offseason comes into play.
.@HoustonTexans GM Nick Caserio discussed the support they have for QB C.J. Stroud.
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) January 29, 2026
📻 https://t.co/ROaoooLr1I#Texans | #HTownMade pic.twitter.com/K3nDAVSqWN
Houston heads into a pivotal few months with plenty on its plate. Free agency, the draft, and internal evaluations will all shape how this team evolves heading into 2026. There are roster decisions to be made, and the coaching staff will need to take a hard look at how to get the most out of their quarterback - not just in the regular season, but when it matters most in January.
Still, the Texans aren’t wavering. CJ Stroud is their guy.
And while his playoff growing pains were hard to ignore, they’re not letting one rough game define his trajectory. Year four is on the horizon, and Houston is betting that their young signal-caller will come back sharper, stronger, and ready to lead a team with legitimate postseason aspirations.