Tedy Bruschi and Alex Smith couldn’t agree on C.J. Stroud.
And they weren’t exactly quiet about it.
“I am worried about the Houston Texans,” Bruschi said on the set of ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown.” “C.J. Stroud coming off of that playoff loss in New England and what he did this offseason in turning down a big contract offer. I don’t want my quarterback on this team to go out there and say, ‘This is a prove-it year for me.’”
Bruschi later continued, “C.J. Stroud wants to be paid like he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league,” where he was then cut off by Smith, who vehemently disagreed.
“He is, though, Teddy, he is. He is one of the best quarterbacks in the league,” Smith interjected. “He is one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL. Fact.”
Bruschi retorted, “Okay, you throw in the word ‘young’ in there, he’s not the best okay.”
Bruschi argued that Stroud doesn’t need to produce massive individual numbers for Houston to contend, pointing to the Texans’ defense and improved running game as the team’s strengths.
“I don’t want my quarterback wanting to throw for 4,500 yards,” Bruschi said.
Smith, however, argued that Stroud’s production needed more context, particularly considering Houston’s offensive line issues and lack of consistency around him last season.
“I know the playoffs were ugly for C.J. Stroud, but again, there is not a quarterback in the league that would’ve succeeded in that situation last year. This guy’s offensive line is terrible, they’re nearly dead-last in pass protection as well. Outside of Nico Collins, who got hurt and was out of the playoffs, he has nobody to throw to. They traded away Laremy Tunsil, they fired their (offensive coordinator), they have All-Pros on defense. They spent more money on their two defensive ends than their entire offensive lines.”
Smith added that Stroud does not have the luxury of throwing to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins like his Bengals counterpart Joe Burrow..
“I think there were quarterbacks that could’ve handled that situation,” Bruschi responded, referencing Stroud’s four-interception performance against New England in last season’s divisional round.
Houston and Stroud were unable to agree on a contract extension before the season, and general manager Nick Caserio has said negotiations will now be tabled.
The Texans exercised Stroud’s fifth-year option, keeping him under contract through 2027.
Stroud’s numbers have declined since a spectacular rookie season.
The No. 2 overall pick threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions in 2023, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors while leading Houston to the playoffs.
He followed that with 3,727 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2024.
Last season, Stroud completed a career-high 64.5 percent of his passes but threw for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions across 14 games.
Houston still finished 12-5 and reached the divisional round for a third consecutive season, largely because of the aforementioned defense.
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