C.J. Stroud’s Playoff Collapse Raises Big Questions for the Texans
The NFL playoffs are where legacies are made-or in some cases, where confidence in a young quarterback can take a serious hit. For C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans, this postseason felt like a step backward at the worst possible time.
Stroud threw four interceptions in the first half alone against the New England Patriots, and the Texans never recovered. It wasn’t just a bad game-it was the kind of performance that lingers, especially when it comes during the most important stretch of the season. After a rookie year that showed flashes of brilliance and poise beyond his years, this postseason stumble has cast a shadow over his development.
And now comes the uncomfortable but necessary question: Is C.J. Stroud truly the franchise quarterback for Houston?
That we’re even asking that question heading into Year 4 says a lot.
Let’s rewind for a moment. Just a year ago, Stroud was going toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes in the divisional round.
According to PFF’s John Kosko, both quarterbacks delivered three big-time throws in that game-evidence that Stroud belonged on the big stage. But fast forward to this postseason, and the picture changes dramatically.
Stroud’s 32.3 overall grade from PFF in the Patriots game was a glaring red flag. That’s not just a bad day-it’s a performance that can shift the narrative around a young quarterback’s trajectory.
This is now a pivotal moment for Stroud’s career. The Texans have to decide whether this was a one-off collapse or a sign of something deeper. And with his rookie contract nearing its end, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
So what do the Texans do?
The decision to pay a quarterback franchise-level money is never easy, but it becomes even more complicated when the player in question is coming off a postseason meltdown. Stroud is entering the final year of his rookie deal, with a fifth-year option still available.
That gives Houston a little breathing room-but not much. Ideally, by Year 4, you’ve seen enough to know whether your guy is worth the long-term investment.
The fact that there’s still so much uncertainty around Stroud makes this upcoming season absolutely critical.
Should the Texans pay him? Maybe.
Will they? Probably.
That’s the reality of quarterback economics in today’s NFL. Even with questions lingering, teams are often forced to bet on upside rather than risk starting over.
And Stroud has shown enough in the past-especially during that playoff duel with Mahomes-to suggest the talent is there. But talent alone doesn’t guarantee consistency, and consistency is what separates good quarterbacks from great ones.
Year 4 is going to be a defining chapter in C.J. Stroud’s story.
He’ll have to prove that this year’s playoff performance was a blip, not a blueprint. Because if the Texans are going to commit big money to their young quarterback, they need to know they’re investing in the future-not just hoping the past repeats itself.