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C.J. STROUD BOUNCE-BACK SEASON? John Hickman is breaking down EXACTLY why they’re so high on the Houston Texans quarterback heading into the 2026 NFL season — and the numbers tell a much better story than the noise around him.
When C.J. Stroud was kept clean last season, he completed 72% of his passes — good for the Top 12 among NFL quarterbacks with at least 200 passing attempts. He also finished with more than 2,200 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions.
So what went wrong?
The Texans constantly put themselves behind the chains, with nearly 49.8% of their third-down opportunities coming on third-and-long. Houston also ranked near the bottom of the NFL in yards per carry and rushing success.
That’s why this season feels different.
With improved offensive line play, TWO guards capable of making an impact in the run game, a more comfortable and decisive C.J. Stroud, and an offense that should finally have some consistency, the Locked On Texans crew believes Houston could look VERY different in 2026.
And then there’s David Montgomery.
Why could Montgomery be the second-most important player on this roster behind C.J. Stroud? We explain.
PLUS:
🏈 Why C.J. Stroud’s processing and mental reps look different
🏈 Why Houston should take more deep shots in 2026
🏈 How the Texans’ improved run game can unlock the passing attack
🏈 Why the offensive line could change everything
🏈 Why David Montgomery is so important to Houston’s success
🏈 Athletic’s Top 5 defensive minds in the NFL — and NO DeMeco Ryans?!
🏈 Why that DeMeco Ryans omission is straight-up disrespectful
🏈 What to watch from the Houston Texans during Bills game week
🏈 What Texans fans should expect leading into Week 1 vs. Buffalo
🏈 C.J. Stroud, DeMeco Ryans and the 2026 Houston Texans
The season is HERE. The Bills are coming. And it’s time to find out whether C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are ready to take the next step.
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