C.J. Stroud’s growth in 2025 could be the reason why the Houston Texans take the next jump forward in AfC contention this fall.

The Texans posted back-to-back 10-win seasons under Stroud’s watch. They won the division each year and a playoff game, orchestrated behind a quarter of dominance from the former 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year.

But that’s where conversations stop. In back-to-back divisional round losses, Houston’s offense struggled to find consistency. Stroud also never found a ryhthm, leading to setbacks on drives and eventual dissolving moments of promise to pull away with a victory.

Year 3 is somewhat of a prove-it one for Stroud under new offensive coordinator Nick Caley. No, the former No. 2 overall pick won’t be out of a job or alter the Texans’ plans of his long-term future with the organization, but his execution could decide if Houston can be trusted as a legimiate playoff force in the future with teams like Kansas City, Buffalo and Baltimore.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio is confident that his quarterback has only scratched the surface of his potential entering 2025.

“He’s very prideful,” Caserio said on the latest episode of the ‘Up and Adams Show’ with Kay Adams. “He cares a lot about winning, and he wants to go out there and perform well on a weekly basis. And I think any player, every player gets frustrated when things don’t go your way, but your ability to bounce back and have a certain level of mental toughness, to be able to handle what’s in front of you.”

What version of Stroud is the real one? In 2023, he led the league in touchdown-to-interception ratio (5:1) while throwing for over 4,000 yards and completing 63.4 percent of his passes. Last season, the interception total doubled while his touchdown total decreased.

A sophomore slump is common in the NFL as more film is put out on a player. It also doesn’t help that Houston allowed the third-most sacks in 2025, including 52 against its franchsie quarterback.

Caserio mentioned that the offseason acquisitions should help Stroud feel more relaxed in the pocket, but his mentality and drive for success will also be factors into his growth.

“C.J. cares a lot about winning,” Caserio said. “He’s had a great offseason. He’s been here, really, since February.”

“I think he’s got the right mindset. He understands that we can all improve, and we can all get better, and this is what the offseason is for.”

The Texans return to practice for the start of rookie minicamp next week. Voluntary OTAs begin on May 26.