It’s been a tough year for Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. Between missing three games due to a concussion and inconsistent production from the offense this season, Stroud had the lowest passing totals of his career in 2025.
While the Texans made it to the postseason, they largely relied on their top-ranked defense as the offense tried to figure things out throughout the season. Houston’s defense shut down the Steelers, but Stroud had a tough night, fumbling five times, losing two, and throwing an interception. Unfortunately for Houston, the turnover bug has continued into the Divisional Round.
NFL Fans Call for Texans To Bench C.J. Stroud After Another Tough Outing
While he hasn’t put the football on the turf today, Stroud has made some puzzling decisions in the pocket, throwing four interceptions in the first half, and has nearly been picked off on several other throws against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Through two quarters, the Texans’ third-year signal-caller has completed 10 of 26 passes for 124 yards, a touchdown, and four interceptions.
While his first turnover was the result of a beautiful catch by Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis III, Stroud’s second interception left fans scratching their heads, wondering what the quarterback was thinking. With pressure bearing down on him, Stroud tossed it up for grabs with Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones intercepting the duck and taking it to the house.
PLAYOFF PICK SIX @MarcusJonesocho!!
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/7doYGSUycj
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 18, 2026
Fans were quick to point out the below-average play, calling on Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans to make the change over to Davis Mills. As this tweet explains, “CJ Stroud has two TDs in the playoffs. CJ Stroud has eight turnovers in the playoffs. Eight turnovers in two games. At what point do you consider making a switch?”
CJ Stroud has 2 TDs in the playoffs.
CJ Stroud has 8 turnovers in the playoffs.8 turnovers in 2 games. At what point do you considering making a switch?
— JPA (@jasrifootball) January 18, 2026
After his fourth interception of the day, Broncos reporter Benjamin Allbright said what many had already considered, saying, “Yeah, you absolutely have to put Mills in.”
Yeah, you absolutely have to put Mills in
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) January 18, 2026
Former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings concurred with the Broncos reporter, questioning, like many fans, “Davis Mills time?”
While it’s a difficult idea to ponder, benching your starter and going with a guy who’s had very limited snaps this season, given how detrimental Stroud’s performance has been for the team, it seems to be one of the few options left. It’s even more plausible after the quarterback’s outing against the Steelers.
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The idea was so widespread that ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt, Ryan Clark, and Marcus Spears discussed it during the halftime show. While Spears pointed out the two-week playoff stretch and how his play has negatively affected the offense, Clark rightfully noted that it would destroy his confidence and likely have a harsher effect on his future with the team.
As this fan pointed out, “It would be the boldest move in the world for DeMeco Ryans to go to Davis Mills, but with what is on the line, I would STRONGLY consider it. These chances don’t come along often.”
It would be the boldest move in the world for DeMeco Ryans to go to Davis Mills but with what is on the line, I would STRONGLY consider it. These chances don’t come along often.
— Mike Hill (@ItsMikeHill) January 18, 2026
While it would be one of the boldest decisions in NFL playoffs history for the Texans to start Mills in the second half, the last time football fans saw something even close to this scenario was when Alabama HC Nick Saban benched Jalen Hurts in favor of Tua Tagovailoa in the National Championship game.
The difference here is that Mills has NFL experience, whereas Tagovailoa is taking some of his first meaningful snaps in the most stressful moment of his career. However, as this fan pointed out, “We shouldn’t have fans even thinking about wanting Davis Mills to get in the game. CJ Stroud has to take care of the f***ing ball. Inexcusable.”
MMQB lead content strategist Albert Breer also agreed with the sea of calls to pull the plug on Stroud’s day against the Patriots, posting, “That’s four interceptions from C.J. Stroud. Texans might have to discuss going to Davis Mills here.”
That’s four interceptions from CJ Stroud.
Texans might have to discuss going to Davis Mills here.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 18, 2026
While Stroud was in for the Texans’ opening drive of the second half, Ryans gave him a vote of confidence in an interview before the start of the third quarter, but many still think Mills is the way to go. Stugotz, co-host of The Dan Le Batard Show, said, “Davis Mills wins this game.”
Davis Mills wins this game.
— Jon “Stugotz” Weiner (@stugotz790) January 18, 2026
He’s looked more comfortable to start the second half, but Stroud is going to have to be perfect to shake the doubt many have in his quarterback play at the moment. Should the Patriots hold on for this win, there will be some major questions for the Texans to answer this season regarding Stroud’s long-term future under center.
