C.J. Stroud's Message to the Doubters: "Keep Watching."

 

Written by MAi'Ghen Storm, SFL Writer | Photo Credit: Brian Barefield, SFL Photographer

Let the critics talk. C.J. Stroud isn't listening, but he knows what they're saying. After a single misstep, the whispers about regression have started, but Stroud's message is sharp and simple: "Keep watching. Or don't."

The Houston Texans are locked in, focused solely on their upcoming Monday Night Football showdown. Stroud is tuning out the noise, a veteran move for a second-year quarterback. "I don’t care, to be honest," Stroud declared. "I’ve gotten so used to people loving you when you’re up, hating you when you’re down. It’s just how this entertainment business operates.”

Despite a rough outing against his hometown team—a game where he completed under 64% of his passes and threw a costly interception—Stroud remains unfazed. The offense struggled, failing to find the end zone and settling for three field goals in a 14-9 loss. The backlash was instant, with fans already writing off the season and even questioning if the Texans need a quarterback "reset."

Stroud, however, sees through the public's fickle nature. He's been here before, silencing doubters back in his Ohio State days. Now, he’s applying the same tunnel vision. "Words do have effects," Stroud acknowledged. "So, for me, I try not to just look at it and try to just stay kind of like a horse and have tunnel vision… I’ve learned to not love the love and not hate the hate.”

Tampa Bay rolls into town with an undefeated record on the national stage. Stroud knows a win will shut down the critics, while a loss will only amplify their cries. The pressure is on, but the team is unwavering. "Whatever they want to think, cool. Y’all go ahead and do that. We’re gonna continue to grind," Stroud asserted. "If we lay an egg again, we’re gonna get back up, we’re gonna trust each other. It really doesn’t matter what everyone else thinks.”