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The stage is set for the 2026 NFL season. The schedule is teed up in such a way that the Houston Texans have few if any excuses if they fail to make the playoffs.
The Texans avoid several of the AFC's top teams from a season ago and return most of the league's top defense from 2025. Houston restocked at offensive line and returned one of the league's most dynamic deep ball threats in Nico Collins at wide receiver. The team then added a playmaking rusher in former Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery via trade.
Houston's acquisitions paired with a roster that entered with few flaws to begin with lead many to believe the team can go and contend for the AFC this season. That all depends on how starting quarterback C.J. Stroud performs when he takes the field.
Onlookers direct the Texans spotlight directly on the young quarterback leading the team. Stroud had a good season in 2025, but his lowest moment of the year was his most memorable. The former Ohio State signal caller completed less than 50% of his passes in a playoff loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. It was far from how many expected him to perform.
Nearly every angle of the Houston quarterback situation has been covered this offseason, but one remains: If Stroud does not become a consistently elite performer in big moments will it ever happen?
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) pitches the ball to running back Jawhar Jordan (26) runs witht the ball during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at NRG Stadium. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Seattle Seahawks fans have a quick rebuttal to that question: Did you see what Sam Darnold did last season? But Darnold is the exception to the rule, and the Texans are far more functional than the first franchise Darnold played on in the New York Jets.
By Year 4, we usually know the quarterback one is going to become in the league. Former New York Giants head coach Bill Parcells once said, "You are what your record says you are." And while win-loss results do not the whole story, there is some truth to the notion that what you put on the field over a large sample size is what you are as a player, coach or team.
Stroud's statistical sample suggests he is a franchise quarterback. Anything more than that may be a projection. Stroud is good, but for Houston to become a Super Bowl contender he will need to become great. At least, he'll need to be great when needed the most.
It's not now or never for Stroud, but we're starting to draw conclusions on what he brings as a player. He will look to improve the sample size with another breakout campaign in 2026.
Continue reading...
The Texans avoid several of the AFC's top teams from a season ago and return most of the league's top defense from 2025. Houston restocked at offensive line and returned one of the league's most dynamic deep ball threats in Nico Collins at wide receiver. The team then added a playmaking rusher in former Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery via trade.
Houston's acquisitions paired with a roster that entered with few flaws to begin with lead many to believe the team can go and contend for the AFC this season. That all depends on how starting quarterback C.J. Stroud performs when he takes the field.
Onlookers direct the Texans spotlight directly on the young quarterback leading the team. Stroud had a good season in 2025, but his lowest moment of the year was his most memorable. The former Ohio State signal caller completed less than 50% of his passes in a playoff loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. It was far from how many expected him to perform.
Nearly every angle of the Houston quarterback situation has been covered this offseason, but one remains: If Stroud does not become a consistently elite performer in big moments will it ever happen?
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Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) pitches the ball to running back Jawhar Jordan (26) runs witht the ball during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at NRG Stadium. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Seattle Seahawks fans have a quick rebuttal to that question: Did you see what Sam Darnold did last season? But Darnold is the exception to the rule, and the Texans are far more functional than the first franchise Darnold played on in the New York Jets.
By Year 4, we usually know the quarterback one is going to become in the league. Former New York Giants head coach Bill Parcells once said, "You are what your record says you are." And while win-loss results do not the whole story, there is some truth to the notion that what you put on the field over a large sample size is what you are as a player, coach or team.
Stroud's statistical sample suggests he is a franchise quarterback. Anything more than that may be a projection. Stroud is good, but for Houston to become a Super Bowl contender he will need to become great. At least, he'll need to be great when needed the most.
It's not now or never for Stroud, but we're starting to draw conclusions on what he brings as a player. He will look to improve the sample size with another breakout campaign in 2026.
Continue reading...
