Following a 28-16 loss to the New England Patriots in the divisional round, most Houston Texans fans put the blame on the shoulders of quarterback C.J. Stroud.
It wasn’t unwarranted based on his play. Stroud, who struggled in the wild-card round win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, threw four interceptions in the first half, including a pick-six in the second quarter, to help the Patriots build an 11-point lead entering the third quarter.
Houston finished with five turnovers at Gillette Stadium and managed to only score six points in the second half. Even after Stroud finally found a rhythm, the damage was done. For the third straight year, the Texans missed a shot at the conference title game and a trip to the Super Bowl.
Did Stroud deserve blame? Of course, but tight end Dalton Schultz isn’t letting those who think the Pro Bowl passer has struggled off the hook without receipts.
Earlier Thursday afternoon, during his hit on Houston’s SportsRadio610, Schultz said that his injury was a major factor in Stroud’s struggles. Later on the Ross Tucker podcast, Schultz defended his quarterback, saying it wasn’t right for those to say he’s played poorly over the last two seasons following his breakout rookie campaign.
“I don’t think that’s valid. C.J.’s been the same guy since he’s been in the building,” Schultz said. “At the end of the day, dude, that’s my quarterback, I’m defending him til I freaking die. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, but there are so many other things that go on to get to that. He’s got the ball in his hands, so he’s going to get scrutinized, but I don’t think he’s a different player. I don’t think he’s trigger-shy, I don’t think he’s taking his foot off the gas. If anything, he’s grown significantly as a player and evolved significantly as a player.”
Schultz, who finished second in receptions and receiving yards this season, left after the first scoring drive with a calf strain and did not return. According to Schultz on SportsRadio610, he was expected to be an x-factor in the game on the passing side, having caught a 42-yard pass from Stroud earlier in the drive to set up the offense inside the red zone.
With Schultz out, that marked two key names for the Texans missing the game. Pro Bowl wideout Nico Collins also did not play after suffering a concussion in the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. Combined, the duo was responsible for over 60 percent of Houston’s passing production and totaled eight touchdown receptions.
Schultz sticking up for his teammate is one thing, but he also brought up a promising point. The Texans were already limited at tight end with Brevin Jordan being out for the season. Cade Stover, who left in the third quarter with a knee injury, missed multiple weeks because of a foot injury earlier this season, thus costing him reps to build a rapport with Stroud.
At times, Schultz was the only tight end with actual consistent reps in the passing game, so the loss of his role certainly didn’t help the case. Add in Collins’ injury and the Texans were relying on rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, along with Christian Kirk, to take a jump ahead.
Schultz also brought up that expectations seem to change based on previous production. After “lighting the world on fire” in his rookie season, the narrative changed around Stroud and his potential. Fairly or unfairly, the former No. 2 overall pick hasn’t looked like the 2023 version since leaving the field against the Baltimore Ravens.
That doesn’t mean he hasn’t improved as a passer and leader in the locker room.
“It’s tough when you come into the league as a rookie quarterback,” Schultz said. “I told him this when he got in that dudes are going to look to you whether you’rre a leader or not. You have to be willing to be that. You’re going to be asked it because all the leadership duties fall on you, because you’re the quarterback. That’s a part of your job description.
“Just the last three years, he’s grown tremendously in how he’s able to lead and how he’s able to inspire and what he’s able to do and to motivate. To me, I see absolute growth, which, as a teammate, that’s all I try to be.”
The Texans own the No. 28 pick in the upcoming NFL draft.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans TE Dalton Schultz breaks down C.J. Stroud’s growth as a leader
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
