The Houston Texans are celebrating C.J. Stroud. The second-year passer has seemingly hit his stride as the Texans hit their bye week, and he even drew attention from the league and his team for it.
Stroud and the Texans are on their bye in Week 6.
However, Stroud was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts in Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens, and the Texans reacted with a one-word message.
C.J. Stroud Gets Strong Endorsement From Texans
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans rushes with the ball against the Baltimore Ravens.
Stroud joined Denver Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto and Tennessee Titans special teamer Chimere Dike as the winners from the AFC side, and the Texans let it be known how they feel about their young quarterback.
“H7M,” the Texans posted on X on October 8 after the official announcement from the NFL.
Later, the Texans announced that, as one fan hoped, Stroud indeed received their celebratory chain for his award, putting him in the “CHAIN GANGGG.”
Stroud threw for 244 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions against the Ravens, who have been ravaged by injuries this season, including one that has sidelined MVP QB Lamar Jackson for the game against the Texans.
Still, the numbers are season-best marks.
His 85.2% completion percentage is his best mark in any game of his career with 10-plus pass attempts.
Texans GM Sends Clear Message About C.J. Stroud
GettyHouston Texans Nick Caserio is seen before the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Texas A&M Aggies.
For the season, Stroud has a 1,076-8-3 line on 70.8% completion, which would be the best efficiency of his career by a significant margin. Texans general manager Nick Caserio spoke highly of the former Offensive Rookie of the Year.
“He’s done a good job. I think the last couple games, he’s played the position the way the position’s supposed to be played. Made good decisions, been efficient. He’s completed, what, 81% of his passes? Hadn’t turned the ball over. So, the reality is, and – I know everybody gave him birthday wishes last week. He’s 24 years old. He’s still a young player. So, even though he’s played a lot of football,” Caserio told reporters on October 7
“You learn by doing, you learn by playing. Each year is going to be a little bit different. Each opponent is going to be a little bit different. Every situation is going to be a little bit different. So, he’s played pretty good football here the last few weeks. The most important thing, he’s taking care of the football.”
The Texans’ season began rocky as Stroud navigated issues with getting on the same page as his receiver and his protection.
The Texans must guard against the latter being a persistent issue the rest of the way.
Texans Urged to Sure Up OL
GettyHouston Texans general manager Nick Caserio walks the field before a game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Stroud was sacked 53 times in 2024, the second-most of any QB in the league, inspiring the Texans to re-tool their offensive line during the offseason. Through five weeks, Stroud has taken 12 sacks, giving him an 8.9% sack rate this season.
It is a marked improvement from last season. It is also still short of his rookie year, and NFL.com’s Kevin Patra believes more work is needed in front of Stroud.
According to Patra, much stiffer tests than the Ravens lie ahead of Stroud and the Texans.
“Sunday’s blowout of the depleted Ravens provided a needed breath of fresh air for a Texans offense that previously felt like it was suffocating. However, the game did little to answer lingering questions about the offensive line’s long-term play,” Patra wrote on October 7, setting the scene for the Texans post-bye.
“Coming out of the Week 6 bye, Houston has games at the Seahawks and vs. the 49ers and Broncos, which will give us a better idea of whether this unit has turned a corner, or if Sunday’s positive showing was just a one-off against an injury-ravaged opponent.”
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