CJ Stroud, Texans Beat the Chiefs - But Postgame Moment Sparks Controversy
CJ Stroud led the Houston Texans to one of their most significant wins of the season on Sunday - a 20-10 road victory over the Kansas City Chiefs that kept Houston firmly in the playoff conversation. But despite the on-field success, it was a brief moment after the final whistle that had social media buzzing.
Stroud, who threw for 203 yards and a touchdown while completing 15 of 31 passes, played a key role in knocking off the defending Super Bowl champs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Texans defense stepped up, the offense did enough, and the win pushed Houston to 8-5 on the year - just one game behind the 9-4 Jaguars in the AFC South.
But after the game, as Stroud made his way along the sideline greeting fans and signing autographs, cameras caught a moment that quickly went viral: the rookie quarterback appeared to walk right past Texans owner Cal McNair without acknowledging him. McNair, standing at the end of a line of fans, extended his hand - but Stroud never turned his way. The clip made its rounds online, and reactions were swift.
Some fans took the moment personally, calling out Stroud for what they saw as a lack of respect toward the man who signs the checks. One user on social media vented, “Yeah that’s smart slight the guy signing your checks when u been mid for a season and a 1/2 smh.”
Another chimed in with, “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.” There were even extreme takes suggesting the Texans should move on from their young quarterback.
Others, though, pushed back on the outrage. Some fans argued the moment was likely unintentional - that Stroud simply didn’t see McNair in the crowd amid the postgame chaos.
And truthfully, it’s not hard to imagine. Arrowhead is one of the loudest environments in football, and emotions run high after a win like that.
What’s clear is that Stroud has been at the center of Houston’s resurgence. The second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has shown poise and maturity beyond his years.
Through 10 games this season, he’s thrown for 2,181 yards and 12 touchdowns, completing 198 of 308 passes. He’s also added 194 yards on the ground on 32 carries - showing flashes of mobility that add another layer to his game.
Sunday’s win was more than just another notch in the win column. It was a statement.
Beating the Chiefs - even in a down year for Kansas City - is no small feat. And for a young team like Houston, it’s the kind of victory that builds belief in the locker room.
As for the postgame moment? Time will tell if it was anything more than a simple oversight. But with the Texans in the thick of the playoff race, the focus in Houston should remain on what’s happening between the lines - and right now, CJ Stroud is giving Texans fans plenty of reasons to believe this franchise is headed in the right direction.