As the Houston Texans’ season unfolds, a troubling trend has emerged: their inability to adequately protect rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. The promising young signal-caller, drafted as the cornerstone of the franchise’s future, has been subjected to an alarming amount of hits and sacks, raising concerns about his long-term health and development.
A Rookie Under Fire
Stroud, known for his poise and precision at Ohio State, has found himself under constant duress in his first NFL campaign. According to league sources, the rookie has been pressured on a staggering 48% of his dropbacks, the third-highest rate among starting quarterbacks. The relentless pressure has resulted in 20 sacks, tying Stroud for the third-most in the league.
The Texans’ pass protection woes were on full display in their recent loss to the Green Bay Packers. Stroud was sacked four times and pressured on nearly half of his dropbacks, leading to a career-low 86 passing yards. The constant harassment left the young QB visibly frustrated and limited the offense’s ability to move the ball effectively.
“It has to get fixed,” head coach DeMeco Ryans stressed after the game. “It’s not just one person, it’s the entire thing. We have to get it cleaned up.”
– DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans Head Coach
Third Down Breakdowns
The Texans’ pass protection issues are particularly glaring on third downs. Stroud has been sacked 10 times on the crucial down, tied for the second-most in the league. He’s also faced 46 pressures on third downs, a staggering 10 more than the next closest quarterback. Despite the constant pressure, Stroud has managed to lead the league in third down conversions, a testament to his resilience and talent.
A Season-Long Struggle
Unfortunately, the Texans’ inability to keep Stroud upright is not a new phenomenon. The rookie has been hit 60 times on dropbacks this season, tied for the third-most in the NFL. The offensive line has struggled to handle stunts and twists from opposing defenses, leading to 19 unblocked pressures, with one resulting in a sack in the loss to the Packers alone.
The constant pressure has had a ripple effect on the entire offense. Stroud’s receiving corps, featuring talented players like Xavier Hutchinson, Tank Dell, and Stefon Diggs, has struggled to make an impact, combining for a mere 34 yards on 12 targets against Green Bay. The lack of protection has forced Stroud to get rid of the ball quickly, limiting the offense’s ability to push the ball downfield.
“There’s too much talent on the outside to be having 55 passing yards — er, 86, whatever the f— it was,” a frustrated Stefon Diggs vented after the game. “We just got to play better.”
– Stefon Diggs, Houston Texans Wide Receiver
The Path Forward
As the Texans prepare for a crucial AFC South matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, finding a solution to their pass protection problems is paramount. The team cannot afford to let their franchise quarterback continue to absorb such a high volume of hits and sacks. Coach Ryans has indicated that “everything is on the table” when it comes to potential changes along the offensive line.
One silver lining for the Texans has been the emergence of a strong running game, led by Joe Mixon. The veteran back has averaged over 100 rushing yards per game since returning from an ankle injury, providing a much-needed complement to the struggling passing attack. Establishing a consistent ground game could help alleviate some of the pressure on Stroud and the offensive line.
Ultimately, the Texans must find a way to better protect their young quarterback if they hope to turn their season around and build a foundation for long-term success. The continued development and health of C.J. Stroud is critical to the franchise’s future, and the team cannot afford to let him become another cautionary tale of a promising talent derailed by inadequate protection.
“We’ve just got to communicate better,” left tackle Laremy Tunsil admitted. “All five guys have to be on the same page.”
– Laremy Tunsil, Houston Texans Left Tackle
As the Texans navigate the challenges of protecting their rookie quarterback, the entire organization must rally together to find solutions. The future of the franchise hangs in the balance, and the clock is ticking to ensure that C.J. Stroud has the support he needs to realize his immense potential and lead the Texans to brighter days ahead.
