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Jan 18, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) after the game against the New England Patriots in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Panther legend Cam Newton<\/a> offered a different perspective, veering away from what most national media had to say about Stroud coming out of Sunday afternoon. <\/p>\n Newton makes frequent appearances on ESPN\u2019s flagship debate show, \u201cFirst Take,\u201d and on Monday morning, the question was asked if Stroud was the biggest reason that the Patriots won.\u00a0<\/p>\n Newton answered the question, saying yes, Stroud is largely why the Patriots are headed to the AFC Championship, but offered some context to why he thinks Stroud wasn\u2019t able to succeed.\u00a0<\/p>\n Newton stated, \u201cYes, but you have to understand, when you\u2019re evaluating a certain player, it\u2019s hard to evaluate what you just didn\u2019t have.\u201d The former Panthers QB is, of course, insinuating that the Houston offense faced challenges beyond Stroud’s poor play.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Yes, but you have to understand, when you’re evaluating a certain player, it’s hard to evaluate what you just didn’t have.” \u270d\ufe0f@CameronNewton<\/a> on if C.J. Stroud was the reason for the Texans falling to the Patriots 28-16 \ud83c\udfc6 pic.twitter.com\/nsfLOf1dbj<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 First Take (@FirstTake) January 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The Texans faced multiple issues: their star receiver, Nico Collins, was unavailable due to a concussion; tight end Dalton Schultz was injured early in the game; and their offensive line was among the worst in the league all season.\u00a0<\/p>\n So yes, Stroud hasn\u2019t been dealt the best cards this season, but when the play is as poor as his was, it comes down to just bad decision-making, and Stroud couldn\u2019t get his head right at all in the game. <\/p>\n It was a deer in the headlights performance from a QB who two seasons ago had one of the best rookie campaigns ever.<\/p>\n Cam Newton highlighted other reasons why Stroud and the Texans’ offense performed poorly, but he concluded his answer by saying Stroud needs to look himself in the mirror this offseason and improve.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThese are times, are defining moments in careers that you have to say to yourself, going into the offseason, hey I have to be better.\u201d<\/p>\n With all the questions now being about whether Carolina made the right call with Bryce Young<\/a> after all, Stroud has a \u201cprove it\u201d season ahead of him going into 2026, and Newton thinks that if Houston and head coach DeMeco Ryans can build a better foundation around Stroud, he can thrive once again<\/p>\n – Enjoy more free Panthers coverage with Carolina Panthers on SI –<\/p>\n Panthers predicted to snag Bryce Young replacement in draft<\/a><\/p>\n Falcons pass on Ejiro Evero, but it\u2019s not ideal for the Panthers<\/a><\/p>\n Panthers should replace Ejiro Evero with Sean McDermott<\/a><\/p>\n NFL\u2019s RB rankings show two top-30 backs on Carolina Panthers<\/a><\/p>\n