Coach DeMeco Ryans Stands by C.J. Stroud Despite Playoff Struggles

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans addressed the media following the team’s division-round loss to the Patriots, where quarterback C.J. Stroud threw four first-half interceptions. Despite these challenges, Ryans emphasized that he did not consider making a change at the quarterback position during the game.

On Monday, Ryans provided a broader perspective on Stroud’s performance throughout the 2025 season. He acknowledged the intense scrutiny that comes with the quarterback role in the NFL and praised Stroud for his progress in adapting to a new offense and scheme.

“The quarterback position is going to get the most eyes, most attention,” Ryans said. “We understand that. In this league, that’s what it is. C.J. understands that as well. Throughout the season, I thought he did a really nice job of coming in and learning a new offense, new scheme. I thought he picked it up well. We got better as the season went along, and he made some plays to allow us to win a lot of football games as well.”

Ryans also highlighted Stroud’s resilience and determination, noting that the quarterback feels personally responsible for the team’s performance. He encouraged Stroud to focus on improvement rather than dwelling on the mistakes from the recent game.

“I’m not going to let the bad plays there in that game [against the Patriots] dictate to me who C.J. is. I know who C.J. is. I know what he’s capable of doing. We just keep looking to get better. No one feels worse about the situation than C.J. He feels bad for the team. He feels like he let the team down, and I just told him, ‘Keep your head up and you keep moving forward.’ We all want it better. We can’t go back in that game right now and run it back and play it again. We just learn from it. What do you learn from it? That’s my main message to him is, what do you learn from that and how do you make that a priority and getting it fixed and improving and getting better?”

Areas for Improvement in 2026

When asked about specific areas where Stroud needs to improve for the 2026 season, Ryans reiterated that the focus should be on Stroud’s mental and physical preparation. He emphasized the importance of fundamentals and staying grounded amidst the pressure of the spotlight.

“I talked with C.J. today and my message is the same,” Ryans said. “Right now, it’s just about him flushing this one. It’s going to be a lot of negative talk, a lot of attention on him. He can’t listen to it all. He’s just got to get back to work in the offseason of going back to the basics, the fundamentals of playing the quarterback position, playing it really well, understanding how we need to play the game to win the game.”

Ryans also advised Stroud to avoid distractions, suggesting that he should disconnect from social media and focus on his development. He recognized the challenges that come with being a starting quarterback, including the high expectations and public scrutiny.

“He understands that already. . . . I just told him, ‘Don’t listen to anything. Put your phone away. Don’t listen to anything, because there’s going to be a lot of negative talk out there for you.’ Specifically, I just told him to get away, clear his mind. Because right now, at this moment, I know there’s going to be a lot of attention on him, a lot of negative media, and today, a lot of questions about him. That’s what it is, and he understands the position that he is in. As a quarterback leading the team, a lot is expected of you, a lot of eyes are on you, so when it doesn’t go right, there’s going to be a lot of negative talk about you. He understands that and he just can’t allow the opinions of others to weigh who he really is inside.”

Future of Stroud with the Texans

The Texans are expected to pick up the fifth-year option on Stroud’s rookie contract, but the question remains whether they will offer him a long-term deal before or after he has a chance to prove himself. Ryans did not address the possibility of a contract extension during his press conference.

Stroud has struggled in the playoffs, with five fumbles (two lost) and an interception in the previous game, followed by four interceptions in the most recent matchup. This brings his total to seven turnovers in two playoff games.

While Stroud may be able to move past these setbacks, the real test will be whether he can bounce back in 2026. The organization’s confidence in him remains, but the pressure to perform will only increase as the season progresses.