Is Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud a top 10 passer heading into the 2025 season? To fans who love NRG Stadium on Sundays, he’s easily a top-five gunslinger.

To those around the NFL, there’s still more work to be done before that can be a plausible option.

ESPN polled coaches, executives and scouts from around the NFL and one year after being considered the “next big thing,” Stroud was ranked outside the top 10. He was named an honorable mention and received several top 10 votes — going as high as No. 7 in the polls, but after a regressional 2024 campaign, those in charge of the rankings believe the third-year passer has more to prove past this season.

“That can affect your confidence when the protection and the playcalling around you isn’t great,” an NFL quarterbacks coach told ESPN. “It can all tie together. But the framework of what made him great his rookie year is still there … Such a natural thrower of the football with elite ball placement.”

After breaking rookie records in 2023, teams became more transparent on how to defend Stroud. Oftentimes, he’d be short-staffed due to injury at the wide receiver position, but the on-field play against teams like Detroit, Baltimore and the New York Jets was inexcusable for any quarterback, let alone a top 10 playmaker.

Stroud’s dominance as a rookie also led to a more limelight moment for the Ohio State product. This offseason, he’s stayed out of the spotlight, putting more of an emphasis on building toward an All-Pro season. Despite not practicing at full speed in minicamp and OTAs, the Texans believe the best version of Stroud is on the horizon.

“You get mental reps out here,” Texans new offensive coordinator Caley said during practices. “Being out here, [Stroud’s] involved in all the communication. He’s tapped in, he’s into it. I’ve been very pleased when he’s out here.”

Showing no signs of setbacks, Stroud may be in for his best pro season ahead of a new extension. If that happens, the Texans could make their star passer the highest-paid quarterback for 2026 and beyond. No one really knows what to expet, but for now, Houston is thrilled with the progressions stroud has made since taking over in 2023 and know there’s more coming this fall.