Texans Offense 'Got Better Overall' in Loss to Colts

The Houston Texans spent a ton of money this offseason with hopes of protecting its biggest investment, quarterback C.J. Stroud.

The Houston Texans spent a ton of money this offseason with hopes of protecting its biggest investment, quarterback C.J. Stroud. 

Living up to the hype of the second overall pick in the NFL Draft can be tough. When you're drafted that high, you go to a team in need of many things, sometimes the least of which is a quarterback. That's the situation Stroud walked into this season.

The Texans virtually rebuilt the offensive line to protect Stroud this offseason, but based on Sunday's game, you wouldn't know it. Stroud was sacked six times on Sunday and hit nine more times as Houston lost four starters on the line during camp and were also without star left tackle Laremy Tunsil because of a knee injury.

“Guys are still going out trying to do the best they can do,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Doing the job that we ask them to do. Of course, we would like it better. Don’t want to see the quarterback get hit. But I thought the offense took a move in the right direction today, got better overall.”

In March, Caserio traded for Bucs right guard Shaq Mason, then extended left tackle Laremy Tunsil, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. A month later, Caserio moved up in the 2023 NFL Draft to take Penn State center Juice Scruggs.

But Caserio wasn't done yet. In the month following the draft, Caserio extended Mason and right tackle Tytus Howerd. 

Caserio has committed $118.5 million in extensions on the offensive line to protect Stroud, in addition to trading three picks to move up and select Scruggs. Caserio is determined to keep Stroud off the ground in 2023, hoping to bolster his chance at success, which will in turn, help the Texans improve on their 3-13-1 record from a season ago. But an 0-2 start to 2023 is still disappointing.

Despite the pressure he was under all game long, Stroud was proud of the guys in front of him. “I definitely appreciate those guys because they’re fighting,” he said. “They’re not giving up. It’s easy to put your head down in this league ... but those guys are constantly looking me in the eye and saying: ‘I’ve got you,’ and I appreciate that. I love those boys and I’m going to keep fighting for them because they’re fighting for me.”