After a rookie campaign that put him into the NFL’s elite conversation, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, now ranked No. 39, has seen his ranking drop by 19 spots in the 2025 NFL Top 100.
The fall comes on the heels of a 2024 season that, while far from horrible, lacked some of the special efficiency that made Stroud’s rookie season the talk of the NFL.
Stroud, in his second season, put up respectable numbers: 3,727 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The stats took a sizable step back from his rookie season, where Stroud had more passing yards and touchdowns, with fewer interceptions. The numbers paint the picture of a quarterback who battled through some challenges in 2024.
Stroud, in 2024, played behind an offensive line that ranked amongst the worst in the league. He was sacked a total of 63 times on the year, putting him only behind Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams as the most-sacked quarterback. Along with offensive line issues, the team dealt with injuries to many key weapons: Joe Mixon missed three games, Tank Dell missed three games and Nico Collins missed five games.
"Those concerned with Stroud’s sophomore slump are missing the bigger picture," Bobby Kownack of NFL.com noted. "With him under center, a team that had managed only 11 combined victories in three seasons prior to his arrival won 11 in a season (including playoffs) for a second straight year.”
Despite the statistical dip, Stroud still led the Texans to the playoffs, including a blowout wild-card victory against the Los Angeles Chargers. His presence has shifted the trajectory of the team’s franchise, turning them from bottom-dwellers into legitimate AFC contenders.
This offseason, the Texans addressed some of their weaknesses, including a new offensive coordinator and several new faces on the offensive line. The goal is to support the young quarterback and his development, with hopes of setting the stage for a bounce-back 2025 season.
