Where Do the Texans Go From Here?
Users on X/Twitter have been asking a lot of questions about the Texans after the brutal 0-3 start that we’ve seen from them. Houston has lost all three games by one score: 14-9 against the Rams, 20-19 on a game-winning drive from Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers, and last week, a 10-17 loss in Jacksonville.
QB CJ Stroud has received a lot of the blame online. His numbers truly tell the story – a QBR of 38.1 with a passer rating of 76.9, with a 2 TD/3 INT ratio on the season. Both touchdowns have gone to star wideout Nico Collins, who realistically had opportunities for at least two more in the Monday Night Football game vs. Tampa Bay. He had a 50-yard catch and run score last week, coming from a completely busted cover-3 coverage by the Jaguars.
Nico Collins vs JAX (17-10 L)
— xEP Network | Sports Analytics (@xEP_Network) September 22, 2025
11 TGT, 8 REC, 104 YDS, 1 TD, 1 50+ Yard Catch pic.twitter.com/UcLgnuHHb5
In this X post of Nico Collins, you can see that the DB is supposed to play deep and comes down to play the hook when someone is already there. CJ Stroud hits it as any QB should – he was butt-naked-open.
The Question:
If CJ Stroud continues his sophomore slump deeper into this season, should they resign him?
With Houston’s defense holding opponents to under 20 points every game, it's clear that the offense is the big issue here. How much of the blame goes to CJ, and how much goes to the offensive line?
Currently, Stroud is on his rookie deal, playing in his third season. Houston will have to decide this offseason whether to exercise his fifth-year option, which teams can use on first-round picks to keep their contracts cheaper. He would still be on the team next season if they don’t pick it up.
Last offseason, Houston traded their best offensive lineman, Laremy Tunsil, to Washington for some draft picks. The offensive line isn’t HORRIBLE, though, evidenced by their mediocre 2.73 TT (2.73 seconds to throw the ball) according to Next Gen Stats.
My take: Houston’s front office should take a good look at their personnel around Stroud and the Offensive Coordinator before scapegoating their QB. He had a great rookie season and should return to form. However, not picking up the fifth-year option would force Stroud into a situation where he has to earn his next deal. Maybe that will be the pressure he needs.