Texans QB C.J. Stroud Upset Lots of Houston Fans With Hat He Wore to Preseason Game

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw one touchdown pass in his brief appearance against the Panthers. | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Houston Texans starting quarterback C.J. Stroud made the most of his brief appearance in the team's preseason win over the Carolina Panthers on Saturday, as he completed 6-of-8 passes and threw a touchdown pass before watching the rest of the game from the sideline.

While his play should have Texans fans feeling good about the upcoming season, a decision he made before the game left many Houston fans feeling a little bit upset.

Stroud arrived at the game wearing a Seattle Mariners hat. While that doesn't seem like a huge deal to many fans, and rightfully so, that team is currently battling the Houston Astros in the AL West.

Here is Stroud making his entrance:

Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud showed up in a Seattle Mariners hat while they’re in a tight division race with the Houston Astros pic.twitter.com/jdkf0LcY8l

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 17, 2025

Stroud later explained why he wore a Mariners hat, saying: “I still love the Astros, but it’s all good, I understand. It’s all about the swag, baby."

C.J. Stroud when asked about the Mariners hat:

“I still love the Astros but it’s all good I understand. It’s all about the swag baby 😂” pic.twitter.com/FPzJWxbesb

— Jacob (@TexansJacob) August 16, 2025

Many fans were not impressed:

Love ya CJ, but.. awareness brother, awareness.. lol 🧢 https://t.co/QH7N8tJe3u

— Tyler Milner (@tmilrealdeal) August 16, 2025

A Mariners cap???? Someone help CJ https://t.co/MIGc4jkX3E

— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) August 16, 2025

I’d trade him for rocking that Mariners hat https://t.co/wiQ9tIesKS

— Alex Kuhn (@Alex_Kuhn25) August 16, 2025

From this day forward I will not defend/ rep CJ Stroud again👍👍👍 https://t.co/TdnCq9HjYR pic.twitter.com/mGiMmTu40P

— Noah (@YordanForHOF44) August 16, 2025

Clearly better at reading defenses than reading the room https://t.co/YLVWrFL92v

— Steve E. (@KevinBassStache) August 16, 2025

Stroud has led the Texans to the playoffs in each of his first two NFL seasons and has two postseason wins already on his resume.

In the end, that's all Houston fans will really care about. Still, that Mariners hat was an interesting choice, especially since the Astros currently only have a 1.5-game lead over Seattle in the AL West standings.

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