Houston Texans Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud faces the pressure of being the difference-maker for the AFC South franchise in 2026.
Last season, Stroud’s postseason blunders cost Houston a spot in the conference title game. Knowing how banged up Denver was at quarterback, it likely cost the Texans a spot in the Super Bowl against Seattle. Seven interceptions, including four in the divisional round loss to the New England Patriots, marked the most interceptions by a Texans quarterback in a postseason, let alone a postseason game.
But Stroud, the former No. 2 overall pick, still has helped Houston make the playoffs in all three years. He’ll become the fastest quarterback to 30 wins in franchise history with two more victories this fall and cut down on the turnovers during the regular season last year.
That has to count for something, right?
Not in the eyes of NFL executives, who didn’t even list Stroud among the top 20 quarterbacks in ESPN’s annual list of quarterbacks. No one expected Stroud to be listed among the top 10 passers after last season, but the former two-time Heisman finalist wasn’t even named to the honorable mention list alongside names like Green Bay’s Jordan Love, Washington’s Jayden Daniels and Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts.
His name received at least one vote among the top 16 names, but it was behind Denver’s Bo Nix and Indianapolis’ Daniel Jones.
Should the Texans be concerned? Not entirely, but it at least should pique the fan base’s interest. Keep in mind that last year, after a sophomore slump, Stroud was the first honorable mention outside of the top 10, surpassing Tampa’s Baker Mayfield and then-Las Vegas starter Geno Smith.
This season, Mayfield was down two spots, but still inside the top 14. At best, Stroud was viewed by the public as the 18th-best quarterback in the sport. That won’t be good enough to lead Houston to the final stages of the postseason.
To read the full list of quarterbacks ranked ahead of Stroud, click here.
The Texans return to practice for the start of training camp on July 21.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: NFL execs, coaches not high on Texans QB C.J. Stroud for 2026 season
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cole Thompson, Texans Wire | USA TODAY Network
