Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has fallen 19 spots to No. 39 in the 2025 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL Top 100 rankings, following a rookie campaign that put him among the league’s elite. This ranking drop coincides with a 2024 season that, while solid, did not match the exceptional efficiency that defined Stroud’s first year.
Stroud’s Performance and Team Challenges in 2024
In his second season, Stroud recorded 3,727 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, reflecting a noticeable regression compared to his rookie year, where he achieved higher yardage and touchdown totals with fewer interceptions. These statistics indicate a quarterback who faced considerable adversity throughout the season.
One major obstacle was the Texans’ offensive line, which ranked near the bottom of the league and allowed 63 sacks, the second-highest total behind Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. Injuries further depleted Houston’s offensive weapons, with running back Joe Mixon sidelined for three games, wide receiver Tank Dell missing three games, and Nico Collins out for five games.
Impact Beyond the Numbers: Leadership and Team Success
Despite these difficulties, Stroud led the Texans to a playoff berth for the second consecutive year, highlighted by a commanding wild-card victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. His leadership has reshaped the franchise’s direction, evolving the Texans from perennial bottom-dwellers into <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/afc/”>AFC contenders.
“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.” —Bobby Kownack, NFL.com
Preparations for a Stronger 2025 in Houston
In response to the setbacks experienced in 2024, the Texans have made strategic offseason changes, including hiring a new offensive coordinator and acquiring several offensive linemen to provide better protection for Stroud. These moves are designed to foster his growth and position the team for a rebound in 2025.
The organization’s commitment to strengthening the offensive line and supporting their young quarterback reflects an understanding of the challenges faced last season and an intention to build upon the progress made under Stroud’s leadership.