C.J. Stroud had a roller-coaster season for the Houston Texans in 2024. It was a frustrating development following a rookie campaign that saw him win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
Even with the offensive struggles, he still led the team to a 10-7 record and its consecutive playoff berth. Houston even knocked off the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round, to make it to the AFC Divisional Round for the second year.
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Despite that, Stroud has been criticized for failing to perform against top-tier teams like the Kansas City Chiefs. The offensive line has been a major concern, which is being addressed this offseason, but Stroud made some inexcusable mistakes.
That doesn't mean he's a bad player, however. In fact, even Super Bowl-winning quarterback Matthew Stafford is a fan of Stroud.
While speaking with Travis and Jason Kelce on New Heights, Stafford said he likes watching Stroud play the game. He mentioned the injuries around him as a reason for their struggles, while Jason Kelce added the O-line concerns. Then, Stafford said he gets revitalized when he watches players like Stroud.
"I like watching the young guys play because it kinda like revitalizes me, invigorates me a little bit. Like golly, these guys are just playing carefree ripping it." — Stafford on Texans QB C.J. Stroud
Stafford knows about being held back by the talent around him. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft spent 12 years with the Detroit Lions and went 74-90-1. He was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021 and won a Super Bowl in his first season with them.
In four years, he's led them to a 34-23 record and they've won five playoff games. In Detroit, they were 0-3 in the postseason.
Houston is close, especially with their defense. If they can get the offensive line corrected, they could go on a run.