C.J. Stroud Wants $55 Million — Should the Texans Say No?

C.J. Stroud has more postseason wins than any quarterback in Houston Texans history — but after a historically bad playoff performance, the real question is whether that success is enough to justify a massive contract extension right now.
On today’s show, we break down the growing tension between C.J. Stroud, his agent David Mulugheta, and the Texans front office. Reports and league trends suggest Stroud’s camp could ask for $55 million per year, even as Houston debates whether to play hardball and wait another season.
We discuss:
Why Stroud’s agent is almost guaranteed to push for a deal
Whether the Texans should delay an extension despite past success
How Trevor Lawrence and Tua Tagovailoa contracts impact Stroud’s market
The real chances of a holdout, “hold-in,” or late camp arrival
Why a trade is unlikely — but not impossible
How the fifth-year option and franchise tag factor into Houston’s leverage
Nick Caserio has emphasized evaluating the entire body of work, but Texans fans are still reacting to two brutal postseason games that changed the tone of this conversation entirely.
Is this just offseason noise — or the start of real contract drama in Houston?
👇 Drop your thoughts below:
Do the Texans pay C.J. Stroud now, or make him prove it again?

#CJStroud
#HoustonTexans
#Texans
#NFL
#NFLNews
#NFLRumors
#TexansOffseason
#CJStroudContract
#NFLContracts
#QuarterbackDebate
#NFLTalk
#TexansFootball
#AFC
#NickCaserio
#NFLDiscussion

49 comments

  1. I wouldn’t pay him more than $45mil per season. I’m a big Texans fan, and I did not appreciate his off season performance. His regression needs to be studied from that rookie season.

  2. In order for the Texans to pay him that, they would need to believe that another team would be willing to pay that. I don’t think that’s going to be the case. After the divisional game, I think most teams would want to see more from CJ before committing to that kind of money. After Watson and Wilson, these franchises are far more careful with these contracts

  3. Anyone asking whether to pay him is either engagement baiting, deaf dumb and blind, or should not be speaking football because they have no idea wtf they're talking about.

  8. The Texans were the laughingstock of the NFL before CJ and Demeco got there. Trevor Lawrence got paid no problem and he didn’t accomplish as much as CJ has. The media is trying to create a narrative that CJ has never been good and has lived off a defense that was average in CJ’s rookie season. I don’t get not being willing to pay CJ. People are holding him to a higher standard than most other QBs.

  17. I'm a Dolphins fan, I don't give a shit what the agent wants, you make him play out his contract before you pay him. If not, you will end up like the Fins and have a nightmare of a contract to move or swallow if it dont work out after giving him his money.

  19. They have to pay him, but I never got the whole mentality of “next qb up breaks the record”. He doesn’t deserve Lamar Jackson or Patrick Mahomes money, so give him a good deal but not the record.

  22. CJ has won more games in 3 years any quarterbacks because he rely on the defense . 😂😂😂 He only had one good year.
    Make your offensive line stronger. Let Mills develop he's smarter than CJ and Mills get rid of the ball faster

  37. He's in a prove it year (even though most of us have already made our minds up). Houston will pick up the 5th year option, but no way they give him a long term and lucrative extension. If he goes out there next season and balls out, then they sign him long term. The 5th year team option allows them to do this.If he sucks again next year, they cut ties.

  42. I'm a RAVENS fan, in 2011, 2012 sometime, Joe Flacco was in the same contract negotiation stage that CJ STROUD was in, SAME TYPE OF SUCCESS, maybe a little more success for FLACCO, but all relative…

    FLACCO bet on himself, won the SUPERBOWL after the 2012 season and got the huge contract that he wanted.

    CJ STROUD should go out and at least get the TEXANS to their first AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, then put his feet on the owners table and sign for $300 million.

  43. Don't pay CJ period. S avw rhat money Keep that defeb together that's FAR MORE IMPORTANT. Trade CJ get rhe 1st round picl fet Mendoza. Ir trade CJ for a good olinemen Amd picks. Then get a bridge say a kyler Murray Kirk Cousins or one year or rock with mills draft a QB next year with a loaded draft or Mendoza now.

    Botto line keep a cheap QB and keep that defense. Heck so many options could even get Danny dimes for one season rental many possibilities If you DONT pay stroud

  45. Do Texans fans like Stroud? I’m a Giants fan and I would assume you guys would be looking to draft a qb this year and next year. That is the worst performance I have ever seen. I would be looking for a new coach as well. There is absolutely no reason he didn’t take out Stroud. I think Texans need to rebuild. I feel bad for Houston sports fans, these two morons talking are awful. Can’t imagine listening to these losers.

  46. If I’m the Texans GM and CJ camp come in with lets get this deal done I say we’re waiting until next year offseason witch is very dangerous because Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniel’s, Drake maye, and Bo nix get the first years of contract talks and depending how there 3rd year In the league go slam dunk franchise qb lock them in and the Texans will definitely bite the bullet if he leads them to a Super Bowl win/appearance but it’s tougher offseason for CJ because his draft mate will anderson JR will get his extension this offseason because he proven too be the an cornerstone of the defense as well CJ going to have to enter qb competition this tanning camp it’s going be hard he just needs to prove himself

  49. Nick is foolish if he extends Stroud now! The Texans have to fix their OL & RB positions before they pay Stroud another contract. Make him prove he is really elite!!! If he holds out then Mills is 1 and Stroud is 2 and they compete.

Leave a Reply