Heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, it felt like eventual No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young was the talk of the town. CJ Stroud had a great performance in the Peach Bowl with 348 yards and four touchdowns, but he couldn’t do anything to convince the Carolina Panthers that he was more than deserving of the first pick.
Then, their NFL careers progressed, and it quickly became clear that Stroud was more equipped for immediate success than Young. He helped lead Stroud to the divisional round playoffs and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl along the way. Meanwhile, Young led his team to a 2–14 record with the second-lowest completion rate in football.
During that first season, it appeared as if the Texans had discovered their next superstar QB. If he could take a last-place team in their division and get them into the playoffs the following year, what else was Stroud capable of doing? We didn’t know it, but felt the sky was the limit.
Unfortunately, Stroud’s arrow has not been rising in the last two years. The Texans have still reached the playoffs each time, but have been eliminated in the divisional round.
However, this time, Stroud’s performance was a big reason why the Texans were unable to advance. Teams don’t win many games because their quarterback is only able to complete 42.6% of his passes while throwing four interceptions like Stroud did.
During the playoff loss, many wondered aloud whether coach Demeco Ryans should have subbed Stroud for his backup QB, Davis Mills. That never happened, but Stroud’s performance didn’t stop the NFL rumor mill from spitting out some wild ideas.
The latest example comes from NFL Draft expert Todd McShay, who suggests Stroud will be a popular trade target this offseason.
“I’m told there are some big-name QBs who are being targeted. C.J. Stroud is one of them. Does he need a change of scenery? Be prepared for that. Stroud has not been the guy he was in his rookie year the last two years in Houston. Some [teams] Looking at him and saying, ‘Can we get that rookie year guy from Stroud here?'”
After the season ended, the Texans addressed Stroud’s future with the team, and they were not able to commit to the young QB at all. Still, that doesn’t mean they’re ready to gut their roster after three consecutive playoff appearances. Still, some people, like McShay, at least believe the trade is possible, but it takes two to tango.
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