Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud enters the 2025 NFL season with a fresh batch of weapons and a renewed sense of optimism—both for his team’s playoff hopes and his own candidacy in the league’s Most Valuable Player race.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Stroud is tied for the eighth-best odds to win the NFL MVP award at +2500, placing him in the company of fellow quarterbacks Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers) and Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers). The favorites for the award include Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) and Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills) at +550, followed by Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals), Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), and Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders).
Stroud’s standing as a dark horse comes after a sophomore campaign that saw both individual and team adversity. The Texans’ offense struggled with injuries and pass protection, resulting in a statistical dip for Stroud, who finished 2024 with 3,727 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Despite these hurdles, Houston managed a second-straight division title, but expectations for a leap in 2025 are high.
The Texans’ front office responded to last season’s challenges by adding significant talent around Stroud. Houston selected wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in the NFL Draft and traded for veteran Christian Kirk, bolstering a receiving corps that already features Nico Collins and the returning Tank Dell. The offensive line also saw changes, including the addition of tackle Aireontae Ersery, as the team aims to provide better protection for its franchise quarterback.
Analysts note that while Stroud is not considered a frontrunner, his MVP chances hinge on a bounce-back season for both himself and the Texans’ offense. If Houston’s new-look lineup can limit turnovers and sacks, and Stroud returns to his rookie-year form, he could force his way into serious MVP consideration.
To be a true MVP contender, Stroud will likely need to lead the Texans to a top playoff seed and deliver standout performances throughout the season. With the AFC South considered one of the league’s weaker divisions, a dominant campaign could make Stroud’s case hard to ignore.
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Rival Playmaker Sends Strong Message About C.J. Stroud, Texans
The Houston Texans are looking to win a third straight AFC South crown in 2025 for the first time in franchise history, but Indianapolis Colts safety Camryn Bynum is planning to make them earn it.
The NFL’s announcement of the 2025 regular season schedule revealed the Texans and Colts will face off in Weeks 13 (at Indianapolis) and 18 (at home in NRG Stadium).
Bynum signed with the Colts in free agency this offseason and is “looking forward” to the latter.
“It’s smart they put it at 18, because they know that’s going to be the game that decides it all,” Bynym told Kay Adams on “Up & Adams” on May 23. “I’ve heard [about the rivalry] and, especially just from guys and just talking to guys on both teams, they’re saying ‘Yeah, that’s the game that’s like – that’s the one where everybody’s energy is crazy. Super lit, trash talk, everything, just because we know that that’s the one that’s up for the division.’”
Bynum was not solely stoking the competitive fire, though. He also praised the Texans, whom he faced and beat 34-7 with the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3 last season. He called the Texans a “really good” and “stacked team.”
“I’m excited for that one, for sure,” Bynum said.
Those meetings will be the 48th and 49th of the series, which is among the shortest in the NFL, dating back to the Texans’ inception in 2002.
