Texans Legend Concerned C.J. Stroud Is Negatively Impacting Team

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Texans Legend Concerned C.J. Stroud Is Negatively Impacting Team

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Sep 18, 2026 11:00 PM ET

C.J. Stroud was put on blast this week by one of the greatest players to ever suit up for the Houston Texans.

Following the Texans’ Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Hall of Fame wide receiver Andre Johnson called out Stroud on Kendrick Perkins’ podcast He claims the fourth-year quarterback has “bad body language” that’s affecting the whole team.

“I dislike his body language, his body language is bad,” Johnson said, via Aaron Wilson. “Anytime something happens, it’s like he has bad body language. Me being a former player, your quarterback having that kind of body language is bad because other guys look at you as the quarterback. So, when they see you feeling a certain way or your body language is a certain way, it kind of trickles down to the team. I’d say that’s the biggest thing that bothers me when I watch the team play.”

Johnson’s remarks generated plenty of buzz in Houston this week. That’s not a huge surprise considering we’re talking about a player who had 13,597 career receiving yards and 64 touchdowns for the Texans.

Jan 18, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) after the game against the New England Patriots in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images© David Butler II-Imagn Images.

While speaking to the media this week, Stroud was asked about Johnson’s remarks. He tried his best to defuse this situation.

“I don’t really have a comment for it,” Stroud replied. “I would say, I respect ‘Dre as a person. I appreciate his critiques. I’m focused on this week, trying to go 1-0 against the Bengals. But I respect ‘Dre and if that conversation needs to be had, it’ll be had.”

The pressure is on Stroud.

No quarterback came into this season with more pressure than Stroud. Not only is he trying to redeem himself after a brutal 2025 postseason, he’s hoping to earn himself a massive payday.

Although the Texans fell short in Week 1, Stroud completed 68.4% of his passes for 274 yards with two touchdowns. He’ll try to be even better this Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

If the Texans fall to 0-2, Johnson may have something new to say about Stroud.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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