I can see you never played sports by your assessment. First off, if you PROPERLY assess CJ you will see that most, if not all of what is happening to him is due to COACHING. The first half in both Pitt and NE, he was trying to fit the Caley's system. The 2nd half, he resorted to what he does best....its clear. Go back and look. He was connecting on his throws, they were driving, about to score until Marks fumbled. This offense does not fit what he wants to do most. He needs time to throw and he needs speed on the wide outs. Higgins, Hutchinson and Noel does not possess speed. They are more possession receivers. Caserio, Caley and Demeco want him to be a GAME MANAGER. Thats not him
HORSESHIT....stop making excuses. When CJ goes to the line of scrimmage, he doesn't read the defense and audible, EVER. He NEVER varies snap counts, literally just runs the plays, and he misses the hot route most often it is frustrating. CJ doesn't do that, and look at his eyes, where is the passion the guy is a wet rug, he just doesn't have that leadership gene, glad he believes in God maybe he can be a preacher because he is NEVER going to be a great QB. Now maybe that is because he can't take a hit, or had too many - that sucks, but it doesn't change the deer in the headlights way he plays.....good riddance. He is a bust. DD
I listened to Bill Simmons and Cousin Sal this morning. Bill is the #1 Boston sports fan and he was sure that NE would've lost but for CJ. Sal speculated that CJ forces throws because he's scared of getting hit, and I have to agree - it fits into the narrative of him being afraid to run as well post-concussion. I don't know how you get that edge back. Certainly Caserio gaslighted everyone this year about the OL being capable, and Mixon disappearing didn't help. You have 4 picks in the first 3 rounds, and you'd like to think you can add enough at OG, RB, and TE to build a better support system around CJ. I don't think he's necessarily a lost cause, but can he get it back? Or is he the next Chuck Knoblauch?
Doesn't every QB, even the shitty ones to be successful? I get what you're implying about Caley throughout the season but he had nothing to do with those 2 pathetic performances the last 2 weeks... He was overthrowing,underthrowing , and straight up not making experienced QB decisions yesterday.. Ain't no way you could think otherwise unless you are a close relative or former college roommate..
I have not read every post but those who say its time to cut bait with CJ are correct We will never win a Super Bowl with him. This was a season we could have with a guy like Mills but banking on a repeat of the 2025 Defense in 26 is playing with fire. Its unfortunate as I am sure all Texans fans want him to be Tom Brady but unfortunately he can not even be Brock Purdy (which is all we needed) at least not here. Options are limited a) extend CJ to year 5 and extend Mills one more year. This gives you both guys here two more years with an open competition and time to evaluate Mertz. Problem is you are banking on either CJ turning it around or Mills being able to win playoff games if their are issues with the defense or running game b) Trade CJ and picks for Burrow. This is probably the right move as you are a super bowl ready team. Of course this is assuming the Bengals would do this but if they do you are the Super Bowl Favorites going from a bottom 5 starter to a top 5 c) Trade CJ for whatever you can get, hand the keys to Mills but also bring in a vet who has started. This allows you to keep future draft assets and have two game managers your players should trust more than CJ Off the table is Drafting someone else we are picking 28 and the draft class is weak plus the ready made team Extending CJ although even if we made the Super Bowl don't know how anyone would want to be married to this guy Its unfortunate he was a bust, time to get .50 back on the dollar
Burrow or OL Starting Mills almost seems a "we're okay just advancing to CC finally" move. But if we do, be OL intensive. Draft 2-3 OL and maybe add FA help there. If not, break the bank for Burrow all day. I want Burrow yesterday. Texans can probably add Joe and get one OL whether draft or FA. I never want CJ starting again.
There is almost no chance CJ Stroud is NOT the starting QB for this team next season. There is nothing out there as a stop gap solution that makes sense, and benching him does nothing in terms of maximizing the window for this defense. This off-season should be used to bolster the OL, get another RB that can actually be a threat with the ball, perhaps bolster the TE position, and continue to add to an already elite defense. Stroud is not the answer as of now. We know that. But you also can't cut bait on a rookie deal that's allowing you to build a roster that can compete. This next season will be THE year for him to prove that he belongs in the conversation, since common sense should dictate that the offense will naturally be better around him.
I am amused by the "get Burrow" comments. Why in the world would Cinncy even consider that? How about a trade for a generational talent for a "deer in the headlights" head case? CJ is damaged goods. He needs help. The concussions have possibly ended his career in the NFL. He is delusional, after both playoff losses where he was beyond HORRIBLE, he claims he had "good" games. Beyond Delusional!
Plus, speed doesn’t fix late throws, hesitation, staring down routes, poor ball placement, or plain old bad decisions. We’ve seen these issues even when receivers get a step, when they create separation, come out of their breaks, and the open man is there. That is timing and processing, not a lack of speed. Those are QB-controlled issues. (We've seen these before the concussion too) I’m not ignoring the coaches here either. They have to have the slowest “uptempo” offense imaginable. We’re still seeing delay of games and bad execution coming out of timeouts that were called because they couldn’t even get a play off.
Kinda funny that he's in a rush to get the snap off on 4th and inches, to not allow the motion receiver to get set , but in no rush to throw the ball away when a defender right in his damn face..
Checking in on a QB like Burrow would be my preference. Problem is, Cincinnati would be looking to rebuild, not only via multiple 1st RD picks, but high 1st RD picks which Houston really doesn’t offer. They’re probably stuck w/ Stroud
