Considering how big of an off-season Stroud is headed, his playoff fumble came at a very unfortunate time, especially following a win in which he threw a pick and fumbled an incredible five times. He was by no means the Stroud Houston saw during the regular season; over 14 starts, he threw eight interceptions — just three more than he did in the playoffs — and grounded the ball just twice.
The Texans will need to take Stroud’s three years into account in the coming months when deciding how to approach their QB future. Houston is now in the window to formally exercise Stroud’s fifth-year rookie option, so he doesn’t enter 2026 in the final year of his contract, and he’s also eligible for an extension.
Since arriving in Houston as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Stroud has won Offensive Rookie of the Year, thrown for 10,876 yards and 62 TDs to 25 INTs, led Texas to three straight playoff berths for the first time in franchise history and never lost to a division.
He’s also never gotten past that point, and combined with his postseason scandal, he hasn’t provided quite the same ceiling for the Texans offense as he did as an unproven rookie, when he led the NFL with 273.9 passing yards per game.
Still, he shouldered quite a load this season as the Texans figured out their running game without Joe Mixon, and Houston did nothing on the field (48 rushing yards) against New England to alleviate the relentless pressure on him. He was without a top wideout in Collins. Quarterback Dalton Schultz also went down injured after making two receptions for 47 yards on the Texans’ second drive, which turned out to be their longest of the game.
It’s not hard to imagine Stroud getting a foothold in a game that was close going into the final frame for a win if he could have looked past Schultz, Collins or both.
“It is what it is,” Collins said of missing his team’s final game. “Things happen. That’s life. Really missed being out there with my guys. Didn’t expect Pittsburgh to be my last outing. But it is what it is. It’s God’s timing. Just thankful I’m doing well.”
Arguments about Stroud’s performance through three seasons have merit on both sides and will continue to be, as will conversations about how the Texans can break through the roof in league play.
From Collins’ perspective, it’s simply onward and upward for now after a promising season fell through.
“Man, it was one hell of a year. It was a great year,” Collins said. “It didn’t start out the way we wanted, but I feel like, man, just the journey, just the bonding and just going out there and competing with each other, it was a great feeling. Don’t regret a single moment. I feel like it’s all motivation for next year. Gonna get out there, get ready for OTAs and through camp. Motivation for next year, for sure.”