The quarterback position is the toughest job in all of sports. Not only does the entire offense rely on the quarterback to move the ball, but the mental side of the game is just as important.
Quarterbacks are asked to diagnose defenses before and after the snap and make quick adjustments to help the offense succeed. However, it was recently revealed that the Houston Texans were not allowing C.J. Stroud to make those adjustments, which one NFL analyst calls “malpractice.”
Analyst Blasts Texans for Restricting C.J. Stroud’s In-Game Control
Before the ball is snapped, the best NFL quarterbacks are already making adjustments based on the defense’s performance. They’ll audible the play call if they see a certain presnap coverage look or shift the offensive line protection if they sense a blitz coming.
However, according to The Ringer’s Steven Ruiz, in his first two NFL seasons, the Texans didn’t allow Stroud to make those adjustments, something they’re planning to change in 2025.
“Stroud asked for more ownership of the offense after last season’s disappointing results, and Ryans and Caley are giving it to him,” Ruiz wrote. “For the first time in his NFL career, Stroud will be able to change protections and call audibles before the snap.”
While it’s good that the Texans are giving Stroud more control, it’s absurd that he wasn’t allowed to do so in 2024 after winning the ‘Offensive Rookie of the Year’ and leading Houston to the playoffs in 2023.
NFL analyst Warren Sharp was dumbfounded by the report and blasted Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans and his staff for restricting Stroud’s presnap abilities. “It is malpractice to not allow a professional quarterback to audible and adjust protections,” Sharp posted on X.
it is malpractice to not allow a professional quarterback to audible & adjust protections
CJ Stroud wasn’t allowed to audible or adjust protections the last 2 years!
reminds me of how Greg Roman never allowed Lamar Jackson to audible & adjust protections either
insane pic.twitter.com/p2Oe5fYmPk
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 21, 2025
The best quarterbacks of all time reached that level largely because of their work at the line of scrimmage. Both Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are revered for their ability to adjust to defensive looks before the snap, so it is concerning, to say the least, for Stroud not to be allowed to do the same.
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The most striking point in Ruiz’s report is that Stroud was not allowed to adjust protections, especially since he was sacked 52 times last season, the second-most in the NFL.
All 8 sacks on CJ Stroud vs the Chiefs
1. 3rd and 8, line up Chris Jones on a 2nd round rookie
2. 3rd and 5, Bolton over top of Mason/Fisher with the C sliding fools Shaq into anticipating the blitzing LB – who ends up dropping. Instant sack on a free rusher.
3. 2nd and 5 on… pic.twitter.com/fJYklW14RX
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) January 19, 2025
If he had been able to make those adjustments before the snap based on what he saw from the defense, that number could have been drastically lower.
Stroud experienced a bit of a sophomore slump last year after his stellar rookie season, and it will be interesting to see how his new control at the line of scrimmage helps him bounce back in 2025.
