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C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans warms up before the AFC Divisional Playoffs against the New England Patriots.
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has not shied away from his struggles during this postseason. However, Stroud has also not wavered on his faith, which is fitting amid comments from a player who knows what the Texans’ QB is going through.
Stroud took some steps forward, but either stagnated or regressed in others, with the uncertainty coming as he becomes extension-eligible this offseason.
No matter how Stroud’s contract situation goes, he and others know full well what he can do.
C.J. Stroud Gets Honest About Texans’ Playoff Loss
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans reacts after losing to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
Stroud threw for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions during the 2025 season for the Texans. But it is his 462-2-5 line and 5 fumbles (2 lost) that have sparked discussions about Stroud’s ceiling and future with the Texans.
Speaking at The Annual Global Humanitarian Awards on behalf of the C.J. Stroud Foundation, the Texans QB again owned up to his postseason woes.
And once again, Stroud leaned on his experience as a guiding light and building block.
“I’m just grateful for the suffering. Not only the suffering that people don’t see, but the suffering that people also do,” Stroud told the crowd in attendance in a clip shared on Instagram on February 22, citing several Bible verses to back his stance.
“The last game didn’t go the way I wanted it to. Of course, I wish I had plays back. But I’m okay with suffering in front of people because I know somebody’s gonna see how I respond. We’re all gonna go through bad days. We’re all gonna go through bad moments. I’m gonna have bad plays. I’m gonna have bad games. But my response needs to be in humility, joy, and gratitude because … I know my Savior was on the cross for me. He suffered for us.”
Stroud, like several other members of the Texans, often shares his faith and how it has helped him through difficult times.
He has strong support in noteworthy places outside of the Texans, too.
Bryce Young Delivers Clear Message About C.J. Stroud
The Texans selected Stroud second overall in 2023, only behind Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers.
Young experienced similar scrutiny as Stroud over his first two seasons in the league, but took tremendous strides to end 2024 and, really, throughout 2025. Young recently defended Stroud, citing his fellow QB’s “character” and the perseverance he has shown “in all aspects of his life.”
The Panthers’ QB called Stroud “my brother.”
“There’s a lot of narratives, a lot of stories. And it’s wild to look at this–everyone wants to jump to extremes. Because sometimes, the truth is not as exciting when you’re posting on [social] media. It’s not going to get the same amount of clicks, it’s not going to get the same amount of views,” Young said on “The Pivot” podcast on February 20.
“I don’t know why people act like they haven’t watched him go and dominate this league. We’ve all seen it.”
Young noted that the nature of the quarterback position is to shoulder responsibility.
Young also offered the reminder that the QBs “can’t control everything” but said that they “sign up” for the adulation and criticism, saying, “We all want to take the bullet for the team” and that that is “our jobs.”
“Again, we know what he can do. We know what he does. We’ve watched him do such crazy things in this league, and that’s who he is. Don’t get that twisted, ever. That’s who he is,” Young said. “I know who he is as a player, I know who he is as a leader, as a person, and he knows that, too. I know that as well. So, I’m excited to watch what he does.”
C.J. Stroud Leaning on Faith Amid Uncertain Future
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans prays with the team after a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Stroud cited his faith when asked about his future in Houston, which remains uncertain as the Texans weigh their options.
“It’s not in my control,” Stroud told reporters in January. “Whatever God has for me, I don’t think whatever open door he has, no man can close. Whatever closed door he has for me, no man could open. So, I’m a firm believer in that, and I’m going to just rock with that. But my job is done now in that light. I can only, just move forward, and–but I want to be here as long as I can. I love the city of Houston.”
Stroud reiterated his appreciation for the only NFL city he has called home, saying, “I’m so grateful to be in Houston. This city has welcomed our family with open arms. And I’m just so grateful to be here.”
The Texans can always delay an extension and pick up Stroud’s fifth-year option.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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