Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

After a slow start to the season, the Houston Texans fully rebounded to make a postseason run. Houston won 10 straight games, including a road playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, before it fell in the divisional round to the New England Patriots.

But even while the team was winning, not everything was simple for quarterback C.J. Stroud. In his third NFL season, Stroud continued to show small signs of regression, and this really came into play during the postseason for the Texans.

His 2025 playoff run included eight turnovers and multiple other plays that were close to resulting in turnovers. While Stroud did hold his own to lead Houston to the playoffs, his future with the organization has become a real talking point.

Stroud has rarely resembled the phenomenon he was during his rookie season, and he is now eligible for an extension this offseason. But whether the Texans actually are willing to pay him after the results this year remains a big question.

CJ Stroud Could Be Traded?

According to NFL insider Albert Breer, there is a possibility that Stroud could be on the move. With the financial situation that Houston has, and the inconsistency from Stroud, it could make some sense.

“If Stroud’s contract negotiations get sticky, or the Texans prefer to punt them to next year—while rewarding Anderson—will there be friction,” Breer wondered. “Could that impact the Texans’ offseason? Might someone swoop in to see if they could pry the wildly talented 24-year-old away? These are questions other teams have certainly asked, as Stroud’s gone through his ups and downs.”

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Minnesota Vikings Land CJ Stroud

If Stroud is placed on the trade block, the Minnesota Vikings could be a team that shows interest in trading for him. Even with the questions around Stroud, he has proven himself enough for opposing teams to at least be willing to discuss a deal.

Minnesota struggled this past season at the quarterback position, and with a team that is win-now ready, the Vikings may pivot this offseason. Stroud could offer the Vikings a more established signal-caller than what JJ McCarthy showed them this year, and he could possibly use a change of scenery.

Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and others could give Stroud some dynamic playmakers to throw the ball to, and the Vikings offense could take off. Houston has given Stroud decent enough weapons, but the Vikings have a much more explosive potential that Stroud could use in his favor.

If Houston isn’t going to give Stroud a brand-new extension, moving him for future assets does make a lot of sense. Minnesota could elect to make a deal for the former No. 2 overall pick, and both sides could come away winners in the trade.

The big question is whether the Texans are ready to give up on Stroud after he has led them to the playoffs three years in a row. But multiple shortcomings in the postseason could see Houston make some tough decisions, and this will certainly be a storyline to watch all offseason.

CJ Stroud 2025 Stats

Playing in 14 games for the Texans, Stroud threw for 3,041 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Stroud posted a record of 9-5 on the year, with a completion percentage of 64.5.

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