Deep Dive: Why C.J. Stroud Wasn’t to Blame for the Texans’ Protection Issues & Why 2025 Looks Brighter

I finally finished my deep dive into the Houston Texans' pass protection struggles in 2024. If you’ve been wondering whether C.J. Stroud held the ball too long, if defenses figured him out, or if the offensive line was the real problem—this breakdown has all the answers.

🔹 Key Takeaways:

• Stroud was the most pressured QB in 2024, but he wasn’t responsible for most of it.
• The Texans' offensive line allowed one of the highest pressure rates in the league, with interior pass protection and tight ends struggling the most.
• Defenses used zone blitzes, simulated pressures, and disguised rushes to exploit Houston’s blocking scheme, leading to free rushers.
• Bobby Slowik’s scheme lacked hot route solutions, forcing Stroud into tougher situations than QBs in similar systems.
• McVay offenses handled pressure better than Houston, which is promising with Nick Caley taking over as OC.
• Stroud was better in play-action and when kept clean, further proving the scheme and OL were bigger issues than his play.

Even if you don’t agree with my take, this article has a ton of relevant stats so you can make your own assessment. Curious to hear what y’all think—was this more on Stroud or a scheme/OL failure?

full article here: https://www.houstonstressans.com/post/c-j-stroud-was-the-most-pressured-qb-in-2024-but-who-was-responsible