July 6, 2026, 2:48 p.m. CT<\/p>\n
Houston Texans<\/a> quarterback C.J. Stroud<\/a> might have been part of the downfall in the postseason, but he still helped the AFC South franchise secure 12 wins for the first time since 2012.<\/p>\n So, where does he rank among quarterbacks entering the upcoming season?<\/p>\n There are high expectations for Texans<\/a> heading into 2026, as he continues to work with Nick Caley’s offensive personnel<\/a> in Year 2. Pro Football Focus<\/a>\u00a0ranked Stroud just outside of the top half, coming in at 17th overall heading into 2026, largely due to the inconsistencies in the postseason over the past two seasons.<\/p>\n “Stroud regressed significantly in 2025 as he continued to deal with poor pass protection and injuries. His 62.0 PFF passing grade ranked 34th among 43 qualifying quarterbacks, including the postseason,” PFF wrote. “He also committed a career-high 23 turnover-worthy plays, 10 of which came in Houston\u2019s two postseason games against Pittsburgh and New England.<\/p>\n “The\u00a0Texans<\/a>\u2019 offensive line should improve after the additions they made this offseason, but Stroud will still need to handle pressure better in 2026. His 35.5 PFF passing grade under pressure ranked fourth-worst among qualifying quarterbacks. He also tied for the league lead in interceptions thrown under pressure (8). If Stroud can regain his confidence behind a revamped offensive line,\u00a0Houston<\/a>\u00a0could be a Super Bowl contender.”<\/p>\n There’s a question mark surrounding Stroud’s potential. Has his ceiling finally been reached? There’s plenty of reason to believe there’s another gear waiting to be tapped by the time the 2026 season comes to a close. Having another season in Caley’s offense should give Stroud the benefit of consistency while working with the same corps and playbook for a second time.<\/p>\n