The Houston Texans have taken a precautionary approach with third-year quarterback C.J. Stroud during the offseason program. Stroud has been involved, though, and new teammate and Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk has been impressed.
Kirk arrived via trade after three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. That gave him a closer vantage point than most to see the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year and Pro Bowler.
His new proximity has given him a deeper appreciation.
“The thing that sticks out about C.J. is he’s super mild-mannered, but he has a lot of confidence, and he’s smart because he sees things well,” Kirk said on Sirius XM’s “Movin’ The Chains” on June 16. “He’s a really good communicator. And I think at that position, especially being a quarterback, and with him being a younger guy, that’s a big big part of him getting to where he is now and still excelling, is just the communication piece.
“He’s going to take this team as far as we want to go with him being at his best. And so, he’s been great, just within the few months of spending time around him. Communicating with him in the locker room, outside of the facility, whatever the case may be. He’s got a bright future, and [I’m] really excited to get to work with them.”
Stroud ranks seventh in passing attempts, eighth in yards, and ninth in completions since entering the league in 2023, per Stathead. He is 12th in that same span in touchdown passes. Moreover, among the 10 QBs with at least 32 starts since then, Stroud ranks ninth in TD rate.
Kirk, 28, had an 84-catch, 1,108-yard season with eight touchdowns in 2022. He tallied an 84-1,166-4 line combined in 2023 and 2024.
He is a key part of the optimism for Stroud and the Texans entering the 2025 season.
C.J. Stroud Expected to Improve After Step Back
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans is introduced before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs.
Stroud got some throws in to close out mandatory minicamp, allaying some concerns over the tightness in his throwing shoulder that had limited him to handoffs during organized team activities.
Even with that, NFL.com’s Marc Ross expects improvement from Stroud.
“Stroud was not as strong in 2024 after claiming the Offensive Rookie of the Year award the year prior,” Ross wrote on June 16. “Even so, the Texans still won 10 games, the AFC South title and a playoff game. That’s the gravity of having a quarterback as talented as Stroud. Yes, he’s dealing with shoulder soreness — not ideal — but Stroud heads into his third campaign with perhaps the best supporting cast he’s had to date.”
Ross touted Texans general manager Nick Caserio for putting a revamped offensive line around Stroud and adding to his arsenal of weaponry with Kirk, Nick Chubb, et al.
C.J. Stroud Prediction Could Prove Costly for Texans
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans walks off the field after facing the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Playoff.
A breakout season from Stroud would put a new level of pressure on the Texans. He will be extension-eligible in 2026 and is already expected to reset the QB market. Returning to his rookie form, or perhaps surpassing it, would all but guarantee such an outcome.
However, while that is a positive development, it would also bring the Texans into a new era.
So far, they have been able to take advantage of the value Stroud brings. He is on a four-year, $36.3 million rookie scale contract.
Moves like signing Dalton Schultz and Danielle Hunter in free agency, and acquiring Joe Mixon in a trade, are easier to make with a cost-controlled QB performing above his pay level. That leeway will disappear either immediately or soon after Stroud inks his next contract.
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