C.J. Stroud cannot afford to hold back the Houston Texans in 2026.Which means that one of the best defenses in the NFL just needs a top 10 quarterback on the other side of the ball. C.J. Stroud is still trying to get back to his rookie success in 2023GettyWith Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter and Derek Stingley Jr. now joined by veteran defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, the Texans enter the preseason battling with the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos for the honor of being the toughest unit in the league.“Every time we go out there, we show (we’re the best),” said Houston cornerback Calen Bullock, after a pick-six of Aaron Rodgers capped off the Texans’ 30-6 AFC Wild Card domination of the Pittsburgh Steelers. “We went out there and showed it today. I don’t think they even scored a touchdown.”The Texans led the NFL in average yards allowed (277.2) last season and ranked second in scoring (17.4), with only the Super Bowl-champion Seahawks edging Houston in that category.That’s how the Texans turned a troubling 3-5 start into a 12-5 record last year.And that’s why Houston is the smart pick to capture the AFC South in 2026 – as long as Stroud can reconnect with his 2023 self.The former No. 2 overall pick was brilliant as a rookie, immediately making Bryce Young a regrettable No. 1 selection by the Carolina Panthers, and finishing eighth in NFL MVP voting while winning Offensive Rookie of the Year.The Texans have reached double digits in victories during all three of Stroud’s pro seasons and he already possesses three playoff victories.But Stroud’s 2025 campaign was the worst of his career, and the former Ohio State star trailed Mac Jones and Jacoby Brissett in passer rating.“I feel like I let people down. I’m not happy with that. It hurts. I’m not used to it,” said Stroud, after throwing four picks and posting a woeful 28 passer rating during the Texans’ 28-16 defeat to the eventual AFC champion New England Patriots in a Divisional Round contest.Stroud must prove himself to the Texans before a $225 million paydaygettyDeMeco Ryans has made the playoffs in all three seasons with Stroud at QBGettyClowney’s surprising return to Houston is a reminder of how strong the Texans’ defense could be this season.After bouncing from Tennessee and Cleveland to Baltimore, Carolina and Dallas in recent seasons, the former No. 1 overall pick can provide impact plays and spell the Texans’ top defenders.Clowney, who’s collected $100 million in earnings, was at his best from 2016-18 in Houston and has 66.5 career sacks. But Stroud held back the Texans in 2025 and Houston must make a potential $225m decision about its QB of the future.“We’ve had productive conversations over the course of the spring,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said at the start of training camp. “There’s a possibility that something could come to fruition. We’ll work through it and see what happens.”NFL's Greatest......Ranking the top 10......Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and moreTight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?Seattle won the Super Bowl last year with an efficient Sam Darnold supporting Aden Durde’s elite defense. While Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff and Dak Prescott put up huge numbers, Darnold did his job weekly and ensured that the Seahawks kept improving from Week 1 until a 29-13 beatdown of the Patriots in Super Bowl LX. Young was better than Stroud last year, flipping the long-term outlook of the 2023 NFL Draft and forcing the Texans to confront another QB dilemma.With passionate head coach DeMeco Ryans patrolling the sideline and Anderson developing into one of the premier defenders in the league, the time is now for the Texans’ defense.Stroud shouldn’t receive his $225m payday until he delivers when it matters.If he holds back the Texans again in 2026, it’ll be time to draft another QB to support one of the best defenses in the NFL.