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C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans poses for a photo after a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets.

The Houston Texans are committed to C.J. Stroud, perhaps even more than the remaining two years on his contract might suggest. However, one key question from this past season still lingers: whether the Texans are supporting Stroud in the best way possible.

Their roster is among the best in the NFL, but that reputation is built largely on the strength of their defense.

Offensively, there are holes and question marks, including how he was coached in 2025.

C.J. Stroud Sparks Strong Comments About Texans OC Nick Caleyy

Former NFL wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh is close with Stroud, and he spoke candidly about whether the QB and Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley can “mesh” better than they showed in 2025. The former wideout called it the “biggest key” this coming preseason.

Houshmandzadeh knows the Texans’ defense can win games. He also acknowledged Stroud’s struggles in the postseason.

However, the 2007 Pro Bowler questioned the way Caley handled Stroud in those games.

“I believe that it’s a learning lesson for C.J. Talked to him at length, man. Long time, a couple weeks ago, just about this, and he gets it. He knows. He knows. There’s a lot of things that go on behind the scenes that nobody ever hears about and knows about. I’ll leave those conversations private,” Houshmandzadeh said on “Speakeasy” on April 29.

“I don’t think people really understand how much playcalling matters in the National Football League,” Houshmandzadeh said.

“You watch that playoff game, C.J. … wasn’t perfect that game. But as a coach, when you see that he’s not having a good game. Why am I steady dropping back, throwing the ball? We can’t run no screens, we can’t run a slant, we can’t run run some easy stuff? Why are we running dropbacks? Why? And you go, ‘He just made bad [decisions].’ Why are you calling these plays? And so, can him … and C.J. get on the same page?”

Houshmandzadeh framed Caley alongside the success of his fellow ex-Rams assistants.

He also noted, “If you’re having a bad game, something is not computing right. I’m not seeing what I should be seeing. So, let me get him some easy completions to see if we can get rolling. That’s what you That’s what Sean Payton would do. Sean Payton would do that.”

Stroud notably missed part of the on-field portion of the Texans’ 2025 offseason program due to a strained pectoral muscle, and they were short-handed in their final playoff game.

Stroud has also supported Caley, even amid the Texans’ struggles.

C.J. Stroud Gets Reality Check as Texans’ Decision Looms

Houshmandzadeh’s blunt critique was not only for Caley, as he also spoke about the onus being on Stroud following the Texans’ loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Playoffs this past season.

He said Stroud is “going to have to play, now, like a ‘big dog.’”

“The way that season ended, it was as if, ‘Well, if we had anybody else at quarterback, we would have won this game.’ And he knows that. He knows that. It’s not like he’s talking like, ‘Oh–.’ He knows that. And so, I look forward to seeing how he’s gonna respond. Because the work, I see it. The angst in the voice, you can hear it,” Houshmandzadeh said.  “Because when you don’t play well, it hurts you.

“You also know it hurts you because you letting other people down. When the locker room f*** with you, you let them down. That bothers you as a when you’re a true competitor, and these dudes really get down with you like that. You know you let them down. And I’m eager to see how this is going to turn out.”

At the same time, Houshmandzadeh admitted that he would not give Stroud the kind of costly extension he is in line for without seeing improvement.

“You could, but it wouldn’t be smart business,” Houshmandzadeh said. “You want to see that he’s the C.J. from Year 1 and is going to take steps to get better, and better, and better each year. So, yeah, you can. But business-wise, it wouldn’t be smart.”

Nick Caserio Gets Honest About C.J. Stroud

Houshmandzadeh expressed his belief that the Texans should be the “favorites” in the AFC by a wide margin, and could go “13-4, 14-3,” as long as they “don’t lose the game on offense,” which inevitably puts the onus on Stroud.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio said Stroud’s confidence “really doesn’t waver” during an interview with Kay Adams.

Stroud has participated in the Texans’ offseason program and has “had a great attitude.”

“I think playing this position, you’re going to have good plays, you’re going to have bad plays. It comes with the territory. It’s the hardest position to play in sports, and there’s going to be ups and downs that come along with it. I think the one thing about C.J., he has a lot of belief and confidence in himself. You see that on a day-to-day basis,” Caserio said on “Up & Adams” on April 30.

Caserio later said, “Any young player is going to endure some ups and downs. So, your ability to push through those and try to improve and make progress, ultimately, that’s the most important thing.”