Quarterback C.J. Stroud vowed to come back better next season after ending the 2025 campaign in the postseason, but also playing a significant part in the Houston Texans’ elimination in the Divisional Round.
He has already garnered attention for taking his first, largely symbolic, step toward that.
The underlying storyline is that Stroud is also entering into the final year of his rookie contract and is eligible to sign an extension this offseason.
C.J. Stroud Delivers Head-Turning Update
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans leaves the field after defeating the Indianapolis Colts.
Stroud spoke candidly about his struggles during the postseason. He called his 5 fumbles during the Texans’ win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card Round, and 4 interceptions in their loss to the New England Patriots in the Divisional Playoffs, uncharacteristic.
His comments underscored the significance of Stroud’s play ahead of this offseason transaction window.
Stroud’s latest actions show the lengths he will go to make changes, hopefully, for the best.
“Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud will look a little different when he takes his helmet off next year…Thanks to @HoustonWigQueen and Stroud’s personal barber KaseKuttz,” Brian “Big Sarge” Barfield reported on X on February 3, sharing a reel of the QB getting his hair cut.
“Watching hair you’ve been growing for more than five years end up on the floor while you get tapered with a fade can be a big decision,” The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander wrote on Tuesday. “Although the new haircut just started circulating publicly, Stroud actually sat down for the haircut not long after the Texans were eliminated from the playoffs.”
Stroud’s personal change comes as his situation with the Texans could make an even larger one.
C.J. Stroud’s Future With Texans Under Scrutiny
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans leaves the field after defeating the Indianapolis Colts
Stroud admitted the “hurt” he felt about not playing up to his own expectations postgame, but he remained crystal clear about his desire to remain with the Texans in the days that followed.
“It’s not in my control. I did what I did on the field the last three years, and I thought I started off my career in a very great way. I’m 24, got a lot of ball left ahead of me. And I think I look at my career, and I’m doing a lot of things early in my career that a lot of people haven’t done in a long time. So, I’m grateful for that,” Stroud told reporters in January.
“I want to be here as long as I can. I love the city of Houston.”
The Texans have until May 1 to decide on picking up Stroud’s fifth-year option. Given his position, that remains likely, despite his postseason struggles. It gets trickier from there. The franchise tag is a costly but viable alternative to an extension if the Texans remain uncertain.
Of course, the question at that point is whether the Texans, who had the No. 1 overall and second-ranked defense during the regular season, can afford to wait much longer.
Next season figures to be the most critical of Stroud’s career, so long as an extension looms.
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