C.J. Stroud Shoots Down Speculation About His Offseason Haircut
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud made some waves this offseason when he did away with his signature locks in favor of a shorter cut. But after some people expressed problems with him over it, he has decided to address them.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Stroud revealed that people have said they think he's depressed and got a haircut to feel better. Stroud dismissed that rumor and stated that he's wanted to cut his hair for a while now. He complained that too many people try to make his private life public and that he just enjoys his new haircut.
"I was told people thought I was depressed. I wasn't. I was doing OK. I had been thinking about cutting my hair for a long time... I hate that everything in my life is so public. People just have narratives. It's the life I've chosen to live. I like my haircut."
"Leave this man alone"
NFL fans were a bit taken aback to learn that there are people who think getting a haircut is a sign of depression in the first place.
"Cutting your hair = depressed? This generation is cooked," one user wrote on X.
"CJ Stroud cut his hair and the entire internet diagnosed him with clinical depression based on a haircut while saying absolutely nothing when quarterbacks who actually deserve scrutiny are out there making real headlines. This is a twenty three year old man who took Houston to the playoffs and people are projecting mental health crises onto his barbershop decisions. Leave this man alone completely," wrote another.
"Bro just got a haircut and the internet made a whole storyline," a third remarked.
NFL fans have had complaints with Stroud for years over his inability to win big in the playoffs. He's 3-3 in the playoffs, going 1-1 in the postseason in each of his three seasons.
Unfortunately, the 2025 postseason - specifically their loss to the New England Patriots - was among the worst performances of his career. Fans have given him no end of grief over that loss and will probably continue to do so.
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This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 12:16 PM.