Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio defended quarterback C.J. Stroud after a rough divisional-round playoff loss to the New England Patriots.
Stroud, 24, threw five interceptions and lost two fumbles in the game, contributing heavily to Houston’s 28-16 defeat. Earlier, he had three turnovers in a 30-6 wild-card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Despite the playoff struggles, Caserio emphasized Stroud’s overall performance over his three NFL seasons. “Look, he’ll be the first to tell you: He didn’t play well on Sunday. But when you look at his body of work, this guy’s been a damn good quarterback in this league for three years,” Caserio said.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans has also stood by Stroud, who was drafted No. 2 overall out of Ohio State in 2023. Stroud won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, earned a Pro Bowl nod, and helped the Texans return to the playoffs after a three-year drought.
This season, Stroud completed a career-high 64.5% of his passes and kept turnovers low in the regular season, throwing eight interceptions and no fumbles. Caserio pointed out that Houston’s strong defense allowed Stroud to avoid high-risk plays.
Stroud’s playoff struggles were worsened by injuries to wide receiver Nico Collins and tight end Dalton Schultz, along with an ineffective running game. Caserio noted that mistakes on coverage and execution contributed to the Patriots’ three touchdowns.
Looking ahead, Stroud is eligible for a contract extension for the first time in his career. Caserio declined to comment on contract plans, emphasizing focus on team improvement and preparation for the 2026 season. “It’s a year-to-year league. We’re focused on the 2026 season, trying to put the best team together and hopefully win a bunch of games,” he said.