Texans' Xavier Hutchinson shares big C.J. Stroud prediction
Hutchinson doesn't seem worried about Stroud despite questions surrounding the quarterback's play over the last two seasons and his future in Houston.
While the Houston Texans picked up the fifth-year option for 2027 attached to quarterback C.J. Stroud's contract, there continues to be no indication that the Texans will sign Stroud to a lucrative extension before training camp opens. Thus, questions about whether or not the Texans believe Stroud can be the team's long-term answer at the position will hover over the franchise for the foreseeable future. During a Wednesday appearance on NFL Network, Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson suggested he is confident the best is yet to come from Stroud as a QB1. "Honestly, just to see his growth from our first year to now, entering our fourth, it’s been amazing, man," Hutchinson said about Stroud, per Josh Buckhalter of Heavy. "A lot of people, we always want to talk about football, but the growth that he’s taken as a man is incredible. I’m super excited for him. He has a big year ahead of him. But he’s prepared himself for it, and I’m excited to see what he can do." Stroud failed to silence those who think he regressed over the past two seasons, as the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year Award winner threw five interceptions and lost two of five fumbles in Houston's two playoff games this past January. He holds a 3-3 record as a postseason starter, and the Texans are seemingly keen on having him complete a "prove it" campaign before the club considers making any real financial commitment to him. "First and foremost, I think you win and you lose as a team," Hutchinson added. "It’s not all on C.J., but 2026 is going to be his time, and I’m excited to see that happen. And I think we’re going to get a good year out of him. But also, I just think it’s football. Not everything’s gonna bounce your way all the time, and that’s life, though, right? With C.J., his back has been against the wall several times, and we’ve all seen him prevail through it. So, I think this is nothing new to him. And like I said, I’m excited for him, and I know that 2026 is going to be a good year." Stroud may need to have more than a "good year" to still be atop Houston's depth chart next summer. After all, recent history shows that big-name quarterbacks are made available to interested teams during just about every offseason in the modern NFL. More must-reads:
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