Texans Tackle Bullish on QB Stroud's 2026 Comeback

Offensive lineman Trent Brown expects a big year from the embattled quarterback.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 12:06am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a Houston Texans quarterback dropping back to pass, with the figure and action broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, conveying a sense of the high-pressure dynamics the player faces in the upcoming season.An abstract, deconstructed depiction of a Texans quarterback's dropback highlights the complexity and high stakes of the 2026 season.Houston Today

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is facing a pivotal 2026 season after a disastrous playoff loss to end the 2025 campaign. While some have doubted Stroud's future as the franchise QB, his teammate, offensive tackle Trent Brown, is bullish on the young signal-caller bouncing back in a big way.

Why it matters

Stroud's performance in 2026 will be crucial in determining whether the Texans commit to him long-term as their starting quarterback. After a rocky second season, Stroud needs to prove he can lead the team and avoid the kind of collapse that ended their 2025 playoff run.

The details

In a recent interview, Trent Brown expressed confidence that Stroud will improve his approach and leadership in 2026 after a difficult offseason. Brown believes Stroud's mindset will be different and that he will surprise many doubters who have soured on the young QB following his poor playoff outing.

  • Stroud's fifth-year option was picked up by the Texans, giving him two more seasons to prove himself.
  • The Texans' 2025 season ended with a disastrous playoff loss to the New England Patriots, in which Stroud threw four first-half interceptions.

The players

C.J. Stroud

The Houston Texans' starting quarterback who is facing a pivotal 2026 season after a disappointing 2025 campaign.

Trent Brown

The Houston Texans' offensive tackle who expressed confidence in Stroud's ability to bounce back in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“I expect C.J. to get better. People be so quick to throw people away that they forget what you've done for them. The build-up, you know what I mean? I expect C.J. to get better. I think C.J. is going to come in and be even more of a leader than he's been. I think his approach will be different.”

— Trent Brown, Offensive Tackle, Houston Texans

What’s next

The Texans will be closely monitoring Stroud's progress throughout the 2026 offseason and preseason as they evaluate whether to commit to him long-term as their franchise quarterback.

The takeaway

Stroud's 2026 season will be a crucial test of his ability to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign and prove he can be the Texans' long-term answer at quarterback. While some have doubted him, his teammate Trent Brown believes Stroud will surprise many with an improved approach and leadership in the upcoming season.