Quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are locked in on the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of Wild Card Weekend. Stroud has had a historic start to his NFL career, and the 2023 Pro Bowler and Offensive Rookie of the Year added to that legacy in 2025.
He has also been a staple in the postseason as a pro. However, Stroud and the Texans overcame daunting challenges from injuries to inconsistency this season, including from the young QB.
In the end, Stroud etched his name into the history books once again.
C.J. Stroud Passes Hall of Famer in Texans’ Win
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans on the field after defeating the Tennessee Titans.
The Texans announced in a post on X on January 7 that Stroud surpassed Hall of Famer John Elway for the “second-most wins by a QB selected 1st or 2nd overall in the nfl draft through their first 3 seasons (super bowl era)” with their win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18.
It was the 28th victory of Stroud’s career in the NFL.
Stroud was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 draft. He completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions during the 2025 regular season.
The NFL also shared a post on Wednesday commemorating Stroud reaching the postseason in all three of his seasons as a pro. Stroud and the Texans have played two games in each of their previous trips, winning in the Wild Card Round but falling in the Divisional Playoffs.
Stroud’s accomplishments this season are amplified by the fact that he missed three games.
He was less efficient with a slightly lower TD rate after his return. However, the Texans were 3-5 with Stroud before his concussion-related absence and 6-0 after. And Stroud delivered big time.
“C.J. Stroud is one of just 6 QBs this season to be top 12 in Pass & Rush EPA for QBs according to @NextGenStats,” Sleeper’s “Texans Jacob” posted on X on January 7. “Stroud did this while facing 3 of the top 5 defenses in EPA/Play this season & 5 of the top 10.”
There is more history on the line for Stroud and the Texans during Wild Card Weekend.
Dr. Roto’s Jayson Braddock posted on X on Tuesday that Stroud can “become the 4th QB to win a playoff game in each of their first 3 seasons.”
C.J. Stroud Draws Attention Over Comments
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans walks off the field after defeating the Baltimore Ravens.
Stroud drew attention earlier this week, not over his play on the field, but rather what the Texans’ star QB had to say at the podium.
Instead, Stroud, a devout Christian, drew attention and praise for his openness about his faith.
“I just got to give God the glory, man. I look back at this year, I look back at my life, I look back at everything that I’ve been through, I think he’s–I know he’s had his hand on me, even in times where it doesn’t feel like it. But I think [the season was] just a testament of you don’t really learn on mountain tops. Really, most of the time, … you learn in in valleys. And I think the Lord has really had his hand on this team, from our head coach all the way down to our players,” Stroud told reporters on January 4.
“I’m just really grateful that God has put us together on this 2025-26 Texans team. And we got the world ahead of us. But to go out and be 12-5 in the regular season, the best record I’ve had so far in the league, with the start we had, it’s just been a blessing. I’m just really grateful to God that I have my brothers and teammates to do it with.”
Stroud clarified when asked that he was not suggesting that God favors the Texans over other teams, but that “win or loss, he gets the glory” and is “more than worthy of all the worship.” It is not “because we want favor from the Lord,” which he admitted “would be nice.”
“In my opinion, you don’t just get favor from the Lord because you just give him glory. But he deserves it, and he’s worthy of it. And I look back on my life, he’s been faithful,” Stroud said. “I think it shows the world when you lose and not doing well, how you profess your faith, or you go about your life when things aren’t going great, is the testimony and really the testament of your faith, and your journey, and your witness to everybody else.”
Stroud is not alone in his faith. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans is among those who similarly direct praise over the team’s success to a higher power. Stroud has praised Ryans for that.
Texans Announce Historic C.J. Stroud News Before Wild Card Game