Stroud has regressed since rookie year and collapsed in playoffs, but remains the Texans' best QB option.

C.J. Stroud has declined since his rookie season and completely, utterly collapsed during the playoffs. The source acknowledges these facts as undeniable: he has regressed in performance and delivered a woeful playoff showing. However, the source argues that despite this regression, Stroud remains the Texans' best long-term option given the alternatives (rookie QB rebuild, overpaying a veteran, or trading significant draft capital for a top-end QB). The source emphasizes that Stroud is 24 years old, plays on a rookie contract, and has led the team through an unprecedented run of back-to-back-to-back Divisional Round appearances, suggesting the regression is contextual rather than a permanent decline in talent.