Remember 2023? The Houston Texans held the second pick in that year's NFL draft, and it was a coin flip between Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud. The Texans were "left" with Stroud after the Carolina Panthers selected Young first overall, which ended up paying off as Stroud was voted Offensive Rookie of the Year and earned a bid to the Pro Bowl.
That feels like a lifetime ago after Stroud regressed statistically last season. There were multiple reasons for the regression, including the fact that there was now tape on him, the offensive line struggled as he was sacked 52 times, and he didn't have the same consistency in his receiving corps as they dealt with injuries.
Stroud was expected to bounce back this season with some improvements and investments in both the wide receiving unit and offensive line. Unfortunately, these investments do not appear to have helped, as Stroud and the Texans have started 0-2, leaving his future in Houston up in the air.
Texans QB C.J. Stroud's Future Will Hinge on September
It seems premature to be out on a third-year quarterback who previously was the Rookie of the Year. Stroud has shown through two games some alarming metrics, though, including how the Texans' offense is passing nearly 100 yards less per game.
The Texans should be looking to air it out with Nico Collins' return and the addition of Jayden Higgins. Instead, Stroud is handing off to Nick Chubb and Woody Marks and taking off on his own. Some of this may be personnel-related, some of this can be blamed on new offensive coordinator Nick Caley, but either way, it reflects poorly on the man under center. Caley just came from the tutelage of offensive guru Sean McVay, so there isn't an excuse as to why Houston isn't airing out the ball.
Stroud also has regressed as an accurate passer, though. He's gone from a 74% on-target rate in pass attempts per game to an abysmal 45% this season. While it's likely that improves as the season continues, Stroud may still be feeling the effects of last season's poor pass protection. He might be throwing off balance and early to avoid getting hit at the same rate as last year, but he also wouldn't be the first quarterback to get the yips after a season of being battered around.
Stroud still has value and is a quarterback most teams would gladly have on their team. It may be that the Texans' roster construction is currently not in a place to get the most out of him, which seems bizarre to say with an elite defense and talent at the skill position on the offensive side of the ball.
Some teams just aren't good fits for certain players, and vice versa.
Conversely, the offensive line's struggles, having a running game led by a recovering Chubb, and one elite receiver isn't a recipe for Super Bowl glory. If Stroud can't get on track against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans in the next two weeks, sending him elsewhere may be the best solution long term for both Stroud and the Texans.