We... "know" our 24-year old QB can't win a championship? Do you realize that, had the Texans won the Super Bowl this year, Stroud would've been the second-youngest SB-winning QB in NFL history? In fact, he would've been just the fourth QB under 25 to start/win a SB. So please take this declarative "can't" **** and get out of here. He's been 24 for roughly four months and you're out here writing the last chapter of his career. Caserio is flat-out wrong & he's in self-preservation mode. The ultimately collapse of this season is fully his fault. So, in other words... they need a QB who plays like CJ Stroud did during the 2025 regular season?
These look the same to you? Henderson + Stephenson: 4.9 YPC; 19 TOT TD; 13 20+-yard runs Cook: 5.2 YPC; 14 TOT TD; 9 20+-yard runs Dobbins + Harvey: 4.4 YPC; 16 TOT TD; 8 20+-yard runs Jacobs: 4 YPC; 14 TOT TD; 3 20+-yard runs Marks + Chubb: 3.9 YPC; 8 TOT TD; 5 20+-yard runs. As I suggested - not here but in your mind: draft the players; how many (after Nico) would you take before a Texan? I'd select ~15. And when you're done with that exercise, do their offensive lines - which offensive line ranks behind the Texans? Then offensive play caller.
This years QB draft class is going to be interesting. Fernando will go number 1. Easy pick, unless Ferando decides to use his business degree on Wall Street. The 2nd QB picked this year will be Diego Pavia. NFL coaches love college QBs that have played the 6 or 7 seasons that Pavia did in college. One of the few QBs in this years class with a superpower (elite escapability and processing speed). Your Day 2 QB's will be Taylen Green, Sawyer Robertson, and Cole Payton. There's nothing special about Ty Simpson, Drew Allar, Cade Klubnik, Trinidad Chambliss, Garrett Nussmeier, or Carson Beck, but they will be your day 3 picks.
I showed you their stats. You made it seem like CJ had the worst possible situation imaginable when it simply isn’t true. Of course you would pick 15, because it fits your narrative. In reality, they’re all similar levels of success at the skill positions and Oline for that matter. Look at the sack totals
No, I did not. YOU set the parameters: You've subsequently been narrowing that list ever since because you conveniently keep forgetting coaching and offensive lines... No; I would pick 15 because there are legitimately 15 players you listed that I think - and could argue - are better, *in 2025*, than the Texans skills players (after Nico): Cook, Dobbins, Harvey, Jacobs, Henderson and Stevenson were all better than Marks and Chubb. I posted the numbers. It's not really close. That's 6. Diggs, Shakir, Sutton & Kraft are all objectively better than Higgins, Kirk, Schultz, et al. That's 10. Franklin and Doubs had better numbers than Higgins. That's 12. Boutte and Watson combined for 35 20+-yard receptions and averaged 16.7 & 17.5/reception. Higgins: 8 20+-yard receptions and 12.8/reception. That's 14. Kincaid missed five games but averaged 14.6 y/r; totaled 15 20+-yard receptions and scored 5 TDs. Schultz: 9.5/8/3. That's 15. You keep narrowing the field - LOOK AT THIS ONE SPECIFIC STAT! But, OK - for the record, Nix and Love were both sacked fewer times than Stroud (despite both playing more games). But Stroud was a BIG reason the Texans cut down on sacks: he ran more (pre-concussion) and he threw the ball away more. == You're being knowingly obtuse arguing the Texans - with an inexperienced OC, an OL built around 3 players that were traded, cut or benched by week 10, and a collection of skill position players comprised of cast-offs (Chubb and Kirk) and rookies - have provided Stroud an environment designed to maximize his potential. Nico is a tremendous equalizer, and if you have *any* argument here, it's that none of the other QBs YOU listed - save for maybe Cook with Allen - has a player anywhere near as good. But, after that, the Texans personnel on offense was exceedingly mediocre.
The numbers say you’re wrong. You’re looking at it through a lense favoring CJ, or at least excusing him. Our receiving core is even or better than every team I listed. Our rushing was as good as every team I mentioned outside of Buffalo, but their receiving core is bottom 5 in the league.
I think you could make a play for Mac Jones, but otherwise y'all have to draft a QB, at whatever round. Neither Jimmy G or Mariotta are upgrades or really building towards anything approaching a superbowl run. Mac Jones at least is still improving and seems pretty smart.
I seriously think that Burrow could be had. CJ, this year’s and next years first. Next years second. With 2 second round picks and our 3rd, it’s not unlikely that we could add 3 starters or at least heavy rotation players. By all indications this is a deep draft for OL. Unfortunately it’s a weak draft for TE.
Another thread said Bengals wanted QB, defensive player (preferably an edge), and several FRPs. Vikes were offering McCarthy, Greenard, and 2 FRPs. allegedly.
C CJ is better than McCarthy I think. Yes 2 FRP’s, add a second and a third next year instead of the defensive player unless they’ll take Horton.
What they dont need is a mentally weak broken QB. They need a QB that can play solidly and not turn the ball over against top tier defenses. So after 7 turnovers in 2 games and it could've been easily double that number, what would it take for you to not think CJ's the QB to lead this team to a championship? I go with Mills and either draft or trade for a QB in 2027.
In other words it's everybody else, not CJ turning the ball over 7 times. This just in, a bad ol doesn't cause a qb to not be able to catch a snap or turn the ball over 7 times in 2 games.
Two things can be true. CJ played horrendously and there is real skepticism that he can be the guy. The other thing that is true is that Caserio has done an abysmal job in dictating offensive coaches and personnel and minimizing the chances for CJ’s success.
Except Caley did a good job in the playoffs., he called 2 good games and was hamstrung by CJ playing like crap, really the last 4 games and really anytime CJ faced an above avg defense. Blame the issues on whoever you want too. But Caley wasn't the guy out there not taking care of the ball.