CJ Stroud bet on himself, turning down a contract extension from the Houston Texans that would have paid him $50 million plus a year.
Stroud had a mixed debut in the Texans’ season opener at home against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. He fumbled the ball on a strip sack on Houston’s opening drive, setting the Bills up for a field goal, their first points of the game.
With the Bills leading 36-31 with 16 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Stroud was strip sacked once again, this time on a 3rd and Goal from the Buffalo 18-yard line (he took another sack two plays before the fumble). His costly fumble cemented a loss for the Texans.
When speaking to reporters after the game, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans gave his thoughts on Stroud’s play, noting he was in control for most of the contest. Ryans felt their defense fell short, resulting in a 36-31 loss to Buffalo. Still, he noted Stroud’s two turnovers were costly.
“CJ was very much in control the entire game,” Ryans said, via video posted to X from TexansCommenter. “Took what the defense gave him. Made great decisions with the football. Proud of the way he played today. He showed what he’s been showing all camp, that confidence, that growth.
“Was very calm, great demeanor, putting us in a great position to win the game. Unfortunately we lost the football there two times, don’t want those plays at all, but not gonna let that overshadow the game that he had. Offense put up way more points than needed for us to win this game. Could’ve definitely played much better defensively.”
Stroud finished 26 of 38 passing for 274 yards and two touchdowns. He added 15 yards on the ground.
The Texans will need Stroud to be better in pressure moments if they want to have a chance to make a deep playoff push this year. While Houston’s defense was a liability, Stroud needed to make plays happen down the stretch to win the game. He missed in Week 1, but will have a chance to lead the Texans to a big win in Week 2 when they host the Cincinnati Bengals.