C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
Getty
C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans on the field before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are 0-2, welcoming a barrage of speculation and criticism heading into a pivotal AFC South showdown with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Moreover, Stroud enters the week on full notice by his head coach, DeMeco Ryans.
All of this comes as the Texans, and particularly Stroud, received encouraging updates on several players who have missed time to start the season.
The bottom line is clear, though: The Texans need Stroud to step up, fast, and he knows it.
C.J. Stroud Looking to Step Up as Caleb Williams Interaction Resurfaces
C.J. Stroud, Caleb Williams, Houston Texans
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans shakes hands with Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears.
Through two games this season, Stroud has completed 62.7% of his passes for 395 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. He has also been sacked 6 times. His sack numbers are slightly down, but so are Stroud’s completion percentage, touchdown rate, and passing yards.
With that, his viral 2024 interaction with Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams has gotten new life.
On Wednesday, Stroud opened up about a significant revelation. He told media members that he often tells Ryans to alert him of any issues in his game because he “can always be better.”
“I told De, if anything he sees – or anybody sees – I can be better in, let me know. I think my process has really been good lately; I see the field well. Putting the ball where it’s supposed to be with the coverages and whatnot,” Stroud said on September 17.
“I didn’t really get a ton of reps with some of the guys we’re getting in the game at receiver. So, that’s a little bit of a challenge. But I think that’s one of my biggest things. Just being the coach on the field, and taking that step, and it takes time. It’s not overnight. So, that’s an area I think I can grow.”
Stroud attempted to clear the air about that interaction, but the perception that he was overreaching by offering Williams advice has clearly persisted. He is also forthcoming in his lack of practice reps with some of his playmakers.
Stroud missed or was limited during the Texans’ offseason program with shoulder tightness.
He opened the Texans’ 20-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on “Monday Night Football” with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins. He finished the game with 207 yards and 2 TDs.
DeMeco Ryans Puts C.J. Stroud on Notice Before Texans-Jaguars
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans scrambles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Stroud’s comments come in light of Ryans’ remarks that he, along with the rest of the Texans’ players, must “pick it up” if they are going to get their first of what they still expect to be many wins this season.
“C.J.’s done a good job. But C.J., all of us, every[body], we got all room for improvement, right? C.J. got to pick it up. Everybody else around him has to pick it up, right? If we expect more, we got to do more. and just go and do what we’ve been coached to do, and do it the right way. Do it with that – and everybody do it with a great attitude, man. It’s so close,” Ryans said on “Texans All-Access” on September 16.
“You’re talking about a few plays, right? You’re talking about a handful of plays from being 2-0. And that’s the league, right? That’s how it is every week.”
I feel like this video perfectly summarizes how the Texans offense has felt for a year now with C.J. Stroud talking about the need for execution and production than immediately multiple mistakes.
7 has to be better too but at some point this foundation is just not good. pic.twitter.com/y4UsrGobNZ
— Jacob (@TexansJacob) September 18, 2025
“We just got to find a way to make those plays,” Ryans said.
Texans Need All 11 on Offense
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The head coach, who is in his third season just like his QB, said that Stroud “knows he has to play better,” while continuing to note that improvement will fall on all of them, per KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson on September 16.
Ryans reiterated those sentiments on Wednesday, emphasizing that it is not just on Stroud to right the ship for the Texans.
The Texans will get receivers Braxton Berrios and Christian Kirk back this week.
That will help. But, as Ryans noted, the Texans must also protect Stroud better if they want him to perform as expected.