It seems like a thing of the distant past now but the Houston Texans built their transformation around quarterback C.J. Stroud. A team that has been propped up by its defense saw its fortunes turn after an iconic rookie season from Stroud that immediately landed them in the playoffs.
Unfortunately, behind a porous offensive line, he hasn’t found nearly the same level of success in the two seasons since. While the Texans have made the postseason each year, Stroud’s performances have ranged from average to downright bad. After a dreadful showing in the Wild Card Round against the Pittsburgh Steelers, fans had had enough.
Fans Blast C.J. Stroud for Steelers Disaster
After starting 0-3, Houston rallied thanks to the best defense in the league, paving the way to a fifth-seed finish in the vaunted AFC. However, the offense remained a question mark all throughout the season.
Unfortunately, those problems reared their ugly heads in the Wild Card Round as they faced Pittsburgh. On the road, Stroud couldn’t get the offense rolling in any capacity, even as they managed to put 17 on the board.
As a result, a livid and shocked fan base could do nothing but roast him for a brutal showing. Even as the scoreboard read 17-6, at the time of writing, it was a byproduct of the Texans’ excellent defensive showing, rather than a clean game from Stroud.
CJ Stroud with the football tonight pic.twitter.com/w5p49mZnt7
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 13, 2026
As one fan bemoaned, “CJ…. you CAN’T do that.His third turnover of the game,” the anger was palpable as a red zone turnover removed any chance of Houston adding to their tally.
CJ…. you CAN’T do that.
His third turnover of the game…pic.twitter.com/8zsmkeXREV
— JPA (@jasrifootball) January 13, 2026
Consistently miscuing on snaps and fumbling the ball, Barstool Sports had a brutal comparison for the former second overall pick. “CJ Stroud is showing signs of early onset Will Levis.”
CJ Stroud is showing signs of early onset Will Levispic.twitter.com/F6x0kKB7ya
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 13, 2026
The interception inside the five-yard line, though, remained the most egregious mistake of the game. Another fan roasted him, stating, “‘I’m not a test taker.. I play football’ said CJ Stroud when asked about why he threw this pass attempt.”
“I’m not a test taker.. I play football” said CJ Stroud when asked about why he threw this pass attempt
pic.twitter.com/N26cqrxGa9— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) January 13, 2026
However, it wasn’t just the turnovers that detailed what an ugly game it had been for Stroud. Instead, a plethora of missed opportunities were noticed all across social media, “It is REALLY hard to watch CJ Stroud play football tonight. This is Nico Collins wideeeeee open.”
It is REALLY hard to watch CJ Stroud play football tonight.
This is Nico Collins wideeeeee open
pic.twitter.com/ILIawP191c— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) January 13, 2026
But the story of the game remained the fumbles. As one fan noted, “CJ Stroud just became the first player with 4+ fumbles in a playoff game this century. We have yet to reach halftime.”
When CJ Stroud sees a wide open receiver pic.twitter.com/rfrrYjN76G
— Underdog (@Underdog) January 13, 2026
As he seemed clearly uncomfortable in the pocket and seemed to rush through his reads and motions, one fan made the comparison. “CJ Stroud is a deer in headlights.” And judging by the performance, it was hard to argue with their stance.
CJ Stroud is a deer in headlights pic.twitter.com/tTBOTELIQF
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 13, 2026
Even though the Texans walked away with the victory, their Divisional Round matchup against the New England Patriots was going to be a different beast altogether.
While his fumbles and interceptions were erased against a mediocre Steelers offense, the Patriots wouldn’t likely afford them the same luxury. Stroud, who ranks 19th in the league among quarterbacks according to PFSN’s QB Impact Metric, must have a better game next week for his team to have a chance of winning.
