The Houston Texans need to make a jump in 2025. Their first two years under DeMeco Ryans featured two playoff wins each, with one over the Cleveland Browns and one over the Los Angeles Chargers.
But their second playoff game in both seasons saw them falter due to the same reasons -- Stroud getting chased all day long, and frankly, running for his life. The offensive line was pretty bad last year, not allowing Stroud to have a ton of time to do anything, really, which is a huge reason why it feels like the soon-to-be third-year QB regressed in his sophomore season.
Texans' offensive line in 2024 was not good
According to Sports Info Solutions, Stroud was about league average while being pressured, which can be considered good when you factor in how often he was pressured, but you don't want a superstar QB being average at anything, or being pressured at all. He threw seven touchdowns and three interceptions on 243 pressured dropbacks. That's not bad.
But the offensive line was not good, obviously, as they allowed Stroud to be pressured way too often. The Texans had 111 blown blocks in the pass game last year, which just isn't good, and that has to be better if you want your best player at his best.
Luckily, the Texans made some moves with their offensive line. Well, that statement is true, but maybe kind of one-sided. Did their offensive line get worse? Pro Football Focus seems to think so.
32. Houston Texans
The presence of veterans Laremy Tunsil and Shaq Mason prevented an already shaky Texans' offensive line from being even worse in 2024, and the team cut ties with both this offseason. Now, there is very little to suggest that the group isn't deserving of the No. 32 ranking ahead of the 2025 season. - Pro Football Focus
The offensive line may be worse after these moves. Sure, they save a bit of money, but on paper, it may be worse. The depth seems to be better, though, and with the injuries the Texans have suffered on the offensive line the last two years, that is huge for them.
This is one of the last years the Texans have before C.J. Stroud gets a huge payday, and possibly becomes a top-three paid player of all time by the Texans. When that happens, the Texans won't have as much money to work with, and it will start to get a bit harder to build a good roster around Stroud.
So, if the offensive line is bad in 2025, which it feels like it will be, then the Texans have already failed Stroud.
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