Not one to shy away from a hot take or a bold prediction, NFL analyst Chris Simms has come to the defense of Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud on the back of a down second year as Houston’s starter.
Speaking on Thursday, Simms took to a popular Texans podcast to discuss what Stroud’s third year as the Texans’ signal-caller might look like, stating he thinks Stroud was unfairly blamed for what went wrong.
“I think he was a little unfairly blamed last year,” Simms said.
“There were issues with the way they protect schematically and how things were done at the line of scrimmage, that just weren’t favorable for C.J. Stroud, and they were unfair.”
Stroud, who finished second in sacks last season, threw 12 interceptions and close to 400 yards less than his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2023.
Chris Simms on the Texans headed into 2025:
“I think he (CJ Stroud) was a little unfairly blamed last year, there was issues with they protected schematically last year”
“I think Houston is clearly the class of the AFC South” pic.twitter.com/281JY6WN40
— Jacob (@TexansJacob) May 16, 2025
Houston’s patchwork offensive line was largely to blame, alongside key injuries to receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell.
“I watched too many games that go wait, this guy just isn’t going to be blocked? They didn’t empower Stroud to take over in those types of situations. I think you’re going to see a different guy at the line of scrimmage this year and I think the offensive line will be better,” Simms went on to say.
The Texans addressed their offensive line last month when they selected Minnesota tackle Aireontae Ersery 48th overall, but there are still big question marks at wide receiver with Dell nursing a serious knee injury to start the year.
Dynamic Iowa State duo Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel figure to be day-one starters, alongside offseason depth piece, Christian Kirk.
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