“They’re a very explosive offense and everything that they do, they love the downfield attack,” Harris told reporters. “And when you have a quarterback like C.J. Stroud, that makes everything possible. He can make every throw.”

This is largely due to the number and quality of receivers on the roster, an advantage further enhanced by Tank Dell’s return to the Texans. Will the Giants be able to overcome Stroud and his team’s aerial firepower?

Nico Collins leads Houston’s passing attack

When CJ Stroud drops back, the Texans’ offense becomes pure electric, making their passing game an absolute nightmare for opposing secondaries. Leading the charge is Nico Collins, who remains Stroud’s go-to playmaker—already racking up 22 catches for 323 yards and 3 touchdowns through his first 4 games of the 2026 season.

But it’s not a one-man show: with weapons like Dalton Schultz, Xavier Hutchinson, and Jaylin Noel constantly stretching the field, Houston’s pass attack is easily one of the most explosive and lethal weapons in the league.

Stroud’s a bad memory for Harris

This won’t be the first time Shelby Harris and CJ Stroud share the field as opponents. The defensive tackle previously faced the quarterback in 2023 while wearing a Cleveland Browns uniform, in a postseason matchup that didn’t go well for him.

“I was in Cleveland his rookie year when he killed us in the playoffs,” Harris said. “And so, I know what he can do. I know he can make every throw out there. And so that Houston offense really, I think they are a budding offense, and they’re just waiting to explode and it’s on us to really get them to slow down.”

Giants look to get back to winning ways

After a tough 34–27 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 6, the Giants are eager to bounce back, clear their heads, and get back in the win column. They’ll get their shot this Sunday, October 25, 2026, when they travel to Houston to take on the Texans at NRG Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM ET, and New York will be looking to dust off that last defeat and steal a massive road win.

Key takeaways

• CJ Stroud and the Texans feature a downfield passing attack, per Shelby Harris.
• Nico Collins leads Houston with 22 catches, 323 yards, and 3 touchdowns in four games.
• New York travels to Houston for a Week 7 matchup on October 25, 2026.

Both teams have intriguing options as their primary backups. For the Jaguars, Quinn Ewers is listed as Lawrence’s primary backup on the depth chart, while Davis Mills fills that role for Stroud and the Texans.

As for the emergency QB role, if needed, both teams have options on their practice squads, although none are listed on the official depth chart. Jacksonville has Nick Mullens and Joey Aguilar, while the Texans have Mark Gronowski.

Lawrence’s outstanding season so far

Trevor Lawrence is having a stellar start to the 2026 season, leading the Jaguars to an impressive 4–1 record through five games. He’s operating with incredible efficiency, completing 67.1% of his passes (96 of 143) for 1,174 yards, 10 touchdowns, and only 3 interceptions.

Averaging 8.2 yards per attempt with a sharp 106.8 passer rating, “Sunshine” is taking care of the football and making big-time throws when it counts—highlighted by a explosive 4-TD game in Week 1 and a clutch 331-yard performance to edge out the Eagles.

CJ Stroud is starting to regain his form

C.J. Stroud has bounce backed in a big way to start the 2026 season. Through five games, he’s stacked up 1,402 passing yards (ranking top-5 in the NFL) with a 64.3% completion rate, 6 passing touchdowns, and zero interceptions for a clean 98.1 passer rating. Even with Houston off to a tough 1–4 start, Stroud has elevated the offense by playing hyper-efficient, disciplined football—sharpening his pre-snap reads, protecting the ball, and consistently pushing deep downfield with an aggressive 10.6 average depth of target.

He’s also using his legs to extend plays and scramble for key first downs, single-handedly keeping the Texans competitive in close games and proving he can carry the unit when needed.

Key takeaways

• Jacksonville and Houston play at Wembley Stadium in London for NFL Week 6.
• Trevor Lawrence leads the Jaguars to a 4–1 record with 1,174 passing yards.
• C.J. Stroud has stacked up 1,402 passing yards and zero interceptions for Houston.

Stroud looks to remain in Houston for the long term, seeking a contract extension. However, NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that they will not complete talks before the 2026 season gets underway for them. As a result, the 2027 offseason will be pivotal for both parties.

“The Houston Texans and quarterback C.J. Stroud made a run at completing a contract extension before the regular season begins, but both sides agreed they now prefer to wait until after this season to work out a long-term deal.” Schefter wrote.

What is next for the Texans and Stroud

C.J. Stroud looks to prove his worth as a star quarterback. He knows he must elevate his level of play to get the contract extension he wants with the Texans, making this season a crucial one for Stroud.

Stroud missed three games due to injury in 2025, going 9-5 in his 14 starts. He completed 273 passes for 3,041 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions, while recording 48 rushes for 209 yards and a touchdown. In the playoffs, he put up 41 completions for 462 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions.

The Texans will seek to improve upon their 12-5 record from the previous season. They also intend to make the playoffs for the fourth straight season for the first time in franchise history and reclaim the AFC South title.

Stroud’s track record

Stroud is entering his fourth season as Houston’s starter under center. He immediately excelled after the Texans selected him with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors as well as a Pro Bowl nod.

While Stroud was not as efficient over his next two seasons compared to his inaugural year, he still threw for 6,768 yards and 39 touchdowns against 20 interceptions over that span.

Speaking to DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN, Stroud was candid in speaking about the question marks that surround his future with Houston if another disappointing season is recorded. “Pressure is a privilege,” Stroud said. “I’m excited. I’ve always been challenged in my career. I’ve always had to persevere through things, and I think this is something that I’m grateful for. I didn’t wake up and forget how to play football.”

Additionally, Stroud gave insight into the last few months and how he is “proud” of himself heading into 2026. “I have things that I want back and mistakes that I made. But truly, God has worked through my shortcomings. If I was perfect, I wouldn’t be able to be coachable or have the fear of God. So I’m glad that I have made mistakes,” Stroud said.

Stroud unbothered by criticism

Stroud is aware that comments and criticism will always be present, and what matters most is learning to handle them while reinforcing the mindset that pressure is a privilege.

“People are quick to use Twitter,” Stroud said. “I focus on me. I can’t control [social media], so why would I care?… So the more opinions people have, the more opportunity that I have to prove who I am.”

Contract extension in doubt

Stroud’s contract rumors hit a wall with the general manager’s response. Nick Caserio responded to the report that Stroud turning down an extension would have paid him $50 million in the NFL, according to a post on X by Luis Ortiz.

“I’m not gonna comment on anything contractually,” Caserio said. “We’ve never done that before. We’ve had good discussions, I’d say, with his representatives. Like we do with a lot of different players. So, at some point there’s an agreement put in place, great. If not, then it’s something we’ll probably address in the offseason.”

There are several doubts and growing criticisms surrounding the potential contract extension. It does seem a little odd that Stroud would turn away from the $50 million offer, according to Sports Illustrated.

“Five quarterbacks are making $51 to $53 million a season,” Jared Koch wrote. “And five are making $55 million a season: Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, and Matt Stafford. Just two creep into that $60 million-plus range: Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott.” And while he has shown flashes of what he is capable of, he is not yet at Mahomes’ level.

“He’s built for everything,” the wide receiver said, via ESPN‘s DJ Bien-Aime. “We believe in him, we love him. This is the best position he can be in right now. I feel like he is about to go out and show the whole world what he’s made of, and I can’t wait. We got his back 100 percent, all the way.”

The Texans’ depth chart was bolstered by the arrival of Kayshon Boutte, who joined the team this season to replace Jayden Higgins. It remains to be seen whether Stroud will ultimately be able to rely on his receivers, Nico Collins included, to put together a strong year in Houston.

Building on last season’s success

C.J. Stroud kept things rolling in his 2025 campaign with H-Town, throwing for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns, and just 8 interceptions across 14 starts despite missing a bit of time. He completed 64.5% of his passes (273 of 423) for a solid 92.9 passer rating, while tacking on 209 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground to help steer Houston right back into the postseason.

However, their playoff run came to a painful end in the Divisional Round against the New England Patriots, falling 28–16 after Stroud suffered a brutal night with 4 first-half interceptions—including a costly pick-six—that completely derailed the offense.

What is Stroud’s contract situation?

Stroud is heading into the 2026 season playing on the final year of his original four-year rookie deal, though Houston already locked up his fifth-year option for 2027. While the Texans made a solid offer rumored to put him in the $50 million-a-year quarterback club, both sides haven’t reached a long-term agreement yet.

With general manager Nick Caserio setting a hard deadline to pause talks once the regular season kicks off, Stroud seems totally fine betting on himself this year and letting his agent handle the business while he focuses on ball.

As preseason action ramps up, some head coaches send their best to play at least a couple of drives. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, “Texans quarterback CJ Stroud set to play a few series tonight vs. Raiders along with first-team offensive line… Twenty to 25 plays, roughly.”

Hence, Stroud, whose stock in the NFL has plummeted after a very promising rookie year, needs to look at least good to not raise concerns. The Texans have exercised the fifth-year option for Stroud, which would imply a potential extension is coming, however, nothing is set in stone.

Will Fernando Mendoza play for the Raiders vs Texans?

Fernando Mendoza was the number one overall pick in the NFL Draft, but he is behind veteran Kirk Cousins on the depth chart. Hence, the Raiders will deploy their rookie so he can get some added snaps in his resume.

After the joint practice with Houston, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said Mendoza will get a lot of reps in the game vs Texans. Hence, it’s another opportunity for Mendoza to show his team he can take over if Cousins slips.

Why are Stroud and Mendoza so highly-watched?

Stroud has lots of eyeballs on him because his dip in form after the rookie season has been dramatic. Given that Houston has the best defense in the NFL, the team feels like it’s a quarterback away from contention. However, Stroud’s recent years show that he might not be the QB the Texans can rely on.

As for Mendoza, his College Football career was so great, that it granted him a National Championship and the first overall pick. That alone will put pressure on him. Add the fact that he is on a team desperate for good QB play, and the expectations grow even more.

As a result, the RWR position is depleted, with Tank Dell also in the midst of recovering from a serious knee injury. Their two leading options at the moment are Nico Collins and Jaylin Noel.

Further down the depth chart, C.J. Stroud has the following options to target in the passing game: Xavier Hutchinson, Lewis Bond, Jared Wayne, Justin Watson, Treyvon Saunders, Josh Kelly, Daniel Sobkowicz, Jha’Quan Jackson, and Juwann Winfree.

High hopes were placed on Higgins

Jayden Higgins’ rookie season left the Texans feeling optimistic, with Ryans expecting to give him a more prominent role in his second year as a professional. Unfortunately, those plans will now have to be put on hold.

The former Iowa State player stood out with 41 catches, 525 receiving yards, and six touchdowns, especially after Tank Dell was sidelined by his injury. Now, Higgins will have to focus on recovering quickly, returning at 100%, and proving that he has what it takes to become an elite player.

Analyzing changes for the rest of the preseason

The Houston Texans have two more preseason games remaining to get their players ready for the start of the season. DeMeco Ryans will now have to determine how to replace Higgins on the field.

The first will take place on August 20 at home against Kirk Cousins and the Las Vegas Raiders, while they will wrap up their preseason on the road against the Carolina Panthers on Friday, August 28.

The Texans will open Week 1 against a Super Bowl contender. On September 13, NRG Stadium will be ready to host Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.

Per Yahoo! Sports, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans admitted starters won’t suit up, meaning CJ Stroud won’t play vs. Chargers in their preseason opener. On the opposing side, Justin Herbert’s status vs Texans has also been revealed.

Stroud is getting ready to play in the regular season, where he’ll have to earn a new contract. After his rookie year, CJ Stroud looked as the future of the NFL, but after that, he’s been declining heavily. This means the Texans haven’t offered a new contract right now.

CJ Stroud’s preseason stats

Stroud’s preseason numbers have been inconsistent throughout the years. However, he’s also been very limited, giving that he is the QB1 of the team. The Texans won’t risk having him there for an extended period of time and then get him injured.

The Texans have high hopes for the 2026 NFL season

Scoring on the Texans is an absolute nightmare. Houston had an elite, borderline historic defense last season. The unit remains pretty much the same for this year. Hence, they know they are capable of going far.

On offense, the Texans still have Nico Collins as the WR1 and Tank Dell is returning to join Jayden Higgins as well. Also, they added running back David Montgomery to the mix. If Stroud is able to pull back time and play like he did as a rookie, he could realistically guide the Texans all the way to a Lombardi.

“Tank, he’s grinding. Great attitude,” Ryans said at the NFL’s Annual League Meeting, via KPRC’s Aaron Wilson. “Don’t know if OTAs he’ll be there, but I know he’ll back for us at some point this year. As I told Tank, it’s not a matter of getting back to OTAs just to get back, it’s just a matter of getting back in a really good spot physically to where you stay there.

“That’s the main thing. It’s not about how quickly he returns. It’s just about Tank returning because we saw what Tank can do, the playmaking that he provides to our entire team. Just getting him back, whenever that time is, it’s going to lift our team.“

Tank Dell’s devastating injury

In December 2024, Tank Dell suffered a catastrophic knee injury during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, involving a dislocated kneecap and multiple torn ligaments, including his ACL, MCL, and LCL. This devastating injury required two major surgeries and sidelined him for the entire 2025 season as he underwent a grueling rehabilitation process.

Aerial options for C.J. Stroud

C.J. Stroud’s air attack for the 2026 season is anchored by the dominant Nico Collins, who remains one of the league’s most physical and productive deep threats. Joining him is Jayden Higgins, a dynamic playmaker expected to provide immediate versatility and explosive potential to the Texans‘ offense.

General manager Nick Caserio reflected on the 2025 season during an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio, where he reiterated his confidence in Stroud and praised the quarterback for helping keep the Texans competitive throughout the year despite inconsistencies on offense.

“I think the big thing about DeMeco, we believe in our players, and you want to instill confidence in them, understanding there’s going to be some ups and downs that you’re going to have to endure. Every player goes through that. CJ went through that during the course of the season, and that game was a microcosm of some of the things early in the year, but it’s going to happen,” Caserio said.

“So how do you bounce back? How do you handle those things? And hopefully you learn from them. And then you get to the offseason, what are some things that you can correct? So that’s where the focus was going to be. But he’s played a lot of good football for us for three years now, and we were excited for where we were heading into year four.”

Stroud’s performance vs the Patriots

Stroud was unable to overcome the challenges presented by the Patriots’ defense in the AFC Divisional Round. He completed just 20 of 47 pass attempts for 212 yards with one touchdown and multiple interceptions, struggling to find rhythm against constant pressure.

It marked another disappointing offensive showing for the Texans. The team demonstrated Super Bowl potential on the defensive side of the ball throughout the season, but the offense failed to deliver the same level of consistency when it mattered most.

Across 14 NFL regular-season games in 2025, Stroud completed 273 passes for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, while adding 209 rushing yards and one score on 48 carries. In the postseason, he finished with 462 passing yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions, numbers that reflected both promise and volatility.

The Texans entered the offseason with several questions to answer. The organization not only looked to address roster needs through the draft and free agency, but also faced important decisions regarding key players and the coaching staff as they aimed to take the next step toward true contention.

CJ Stroud had a chance to silence his doubters, but failed to do so. In the biggest challenge of his career so far, the Texans quarterback threw four interceptions in the first half. Despite the disastrous performance, head coach DeMeco Ryans has made it clear that he still believes in him.

“I talked with CJ today and my message is the same,” Ryans said on Monday. “Right now, it’s just about him flushing this one. It’s going to be a lot of negative talk, a lot of attention on him. He can’t listen to it all. He’s just got to get back to work in the offseason of going back to the basics, the fundamentals of playing the quarterback position, playing it really well, understanding how we need to play the game to win the game. He understands that already.

“I just told him, ‘Don’t listen to anything. Put your phone away. Don’t listen to anything, because there’s going to be a lot of negative talk out there for you.’ Specifically, I just told him to get away, clear his mind. Because right now, at this moment, I know there’s going to be a lot of attention on him, a lot of negative media, and today, a lot of questions about him.

2026 could be CJ Stroud’s final test

Although the Texans managed to reach the 2026 playoffs, their postseason run was far from impressive. While they defeated the Steelers in the Wild Card round, the victory came largely thanks to their defense rather than Stroud’s play.

When the Texans selected Stroud with the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, they expected him to quickly become the franchise quarterback they had been searching for. So far, the former Ohio State standout has fallen short of those expectations.

Stroud showed promise during his rookie season, leading many to believe he would guide Houston to long-term success. However, his production has declined since then, raising concerns about his development and overall progression.

The quarterback is eligible for a contract extension, but the team is expected to exercise his fifth-year option for the 2027 season instead. At this point, the 2026 campaign appears to be a pivotal year—one that could determine whether Stroud earns a long-term deal or if the Texans begin exploring other options.

The Texans’ ongoing search for a franchise QB

Houston remains one of the youngest franchises in the NFL, having debuted in 2002. In more than two decades, the Texans have yet to find a truly consistent franchise quarterback, and that search may continue.

If Stroud is unable to establish himself as the long-term answer, he would join a long list of quarterbacks who failed to lead the Texans to sustained success, including David Carr, Matt Schaub, Deshaun Watson, and Ryan Fitzpatrick.