PHOENIX — When C.J. Stroud experienced a playoff meltdown lowlighted by four interceptions in a 28-16 divisional-round loss to the New England Patriots and seemingly cast doubt on his long-term future with the Houston Texans, his head coach wasted no time professing support for the third-year quarterback.
In DeMeco Ryans’ postgame news conference following that season-ending defeat — the third divisional-round exit in three tries — he made it known that immediately after the game, he sought out Stroud and told him he loved him and still believed in him. In the days and weeks that followed, Ryans reiterated those sentiments in repeated interactions with the 24-year-old.
In free agency, the Texans displayed additional support for Stroud by investing heavily in the offensive line charged with protecting the quarterback.
Ryans has since observed a fire and an intentionalism in Stroud that excite him.
“I see a guy who’s dialed in to the offseason and really working,” Ryans said Tuesday morning during the AFC coaches breakfast at the NFL’s annual meeting. “The past couple offseasons, he hasn’t had that full time to really — whether it was injury or other things — he hasn’t had that full time to dedicate himself to the offseason.
“So, I see a guy, he’s in full grind mode right now. So I’m excited to see what comes from the work that he’s putting in. It’s only going to be better. The mindset is right. Physically, he’s in a really good space. Mentally in a really good space. I’m excited to see him get back to work.”
It remains to be seen if the Texans will exercise the fifth-year option on Stroud’s rookie contract to keep him under contract through the 2027 season or if they will reach an agreement for a long-term extension this offseason. Ryans declined to discuss the Texans’ plans for Stroud’s contract, just as he does with other players’ deals. However, his feelings about the quarterback are clear.
The Texans had an active free agency, overhauling their offensive line and bolstering their running back position and secondary. Stroud has ranked among one of the most-sacked quarterbacks in the NFL during his three-year career. But the Texans believe the moves, plus an improved run game, will help ease pressure on Stroud and position him to continue his ascension and improve their chances of getting over that playoff hump.
Stroud has closely monitored the roster additions and has wasted no time working to establish relationships with his new teammates. Ryans praised the leadership Stroud has displayed even though the Texans have yet to begin offseason workouts.
“The investments we made in the offensive line (have) really enhanced our team, right? And C.J. should be a beneficiary of that as well. He’s excited about the moves we made,” Ryans said. “What I love about C.J. is, the guys we are signing in this time of free agency, he’s the first guy like, ‘Can I get a guy’s number? Can I reach out?’
“He wants to reach out to those guys and really welcome them to the Texans family. And it means so much to him, and it means so much to us. And I know, from a free-agent perspective or a new guy going into a new situation, when you hear from the starting quarterback from that team, it carries a lot of weight.
“So, I’m really thankful for him and his mindset of having that on his mind while he’s working, of ‘I want to make sure I welcome all of our new teammates in the right way.’”