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C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans warms up before the AFC Divisional Playoffs against the New England Patriots.
The Houston Texans make it a point to say that they pay no attention to the outside noise, which is a good thing amid the latest read on C.J. Stroud’s situation. Stroud is extension-eligible this offseason, leaving the Texans facing a quandary.
He is not their only, or arguably even most pressing, matter to address this offseason, which officially begins on March 11, but could easily prove most costly in multiple ways.
However, Stroud’s most recent play did not help his cause.
C.J. Stroud Trade Chatter Emerges for Texans
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer noted a belief that the Texans could move on from Stroud, but added that he expects Houston will pick up the QB’s fifth-year option this offseason.
It is “a more than reasonable rate for a starting quarterback in the current economic environment.” It could also buy the Texans time as they embark on what Breer suspects will be “interesting” negotiations about a long-term deal.
The bar for Stroud could be “$60 million-plus,” and it “might be tough” to talk his camp down.
“If Stroud’s contract negotiations get sticky, or the Texans prefer to punt them to next year … will there be friction? Could that impact the Texans’ offseason? Might someone swoop in to see if they could pry the wildly talented 24-year-old away?” Breer wrote on February 9. “These are questions other teams have certainly asked, as Stroud’s gone through his ups and downs.”
Breer urged others to “stay tuned” to the Texans’ situation this offseason with Stroud amid other significant factors.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 draft, Stroud was a Pro Bowler and the Offensive Rookie of the Year that season. He has regressed in some form over each of the past two seasons and missed three games due to his second career concussion during the 2025 campaign.
He had a poor postseason, leading to questions about his future with the Texans.
The Texans are facing significant financial questions, and an expensive long-term contract for Stroud would only complicate matters further.
C.J. Stroud Facing Ominous Signs
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans warms up before facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Stroud is facing two particularly noteworthy factors that have drawn attention to his situation with the Texans, which Breer noted.
First is defensive end and draft mate Will Anderson Jr., whom the Texans selected third overall.
Anderson earned his second Pro Bowl nod and his first First Team All-Pro selection, while also earning votes for Defensive Player of the Year this past season. Breer believes the Texans will “move aggressively” to extend Anderson, just like they did with teammate Derek Stingley Jr.
That could “create some awkwardness” for Stroud.
Moreover, the Texans signed backup QB Davis Mills to a one-year, $7 million extension during the season, which Breer said “got the attention” of some rivals.
Mills, a third-round pick in 2021 and the team’s former starter, led the Texans to a 3-0 record during Stroud’s concussion-related absence in the regular season. However, like many of his teammates, Mills has expressed confidence in and support for Stroud as the team’s starter.
There is plenty at stake, though.
The Texans could miss an opportunity to lock Stroud in for a relative bargain if they wait to extend him, but overpaying him on a long-term deal could prove just as detrimental.
C.J. Stroud Gets Honest About Future
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans leaves the field after defeating the Indianapolis Colts
Stroud shouldered the blame for his performance in the postseason, which many feel let down a Super Bowl-worthy Texans defense.
He also spoke candidly about his future with the organization.
“It’s not in my control. I did what I did on the field the last three years, and I thought I started off my career in a very great way,” Stroud told reporters in January. “Whatever God has for me, I don’t think whatever open door he has, no man can close. Whatever closed door he has for me, no man could open.
“I’m a firm believer in that, and I’m going to just rock with that. But my job is done now in that light. I can only just move forward. But I want to be here as long as I can. I love the city of Houston.”
Texans general manager Nick Caserio hardly sounded out on Stroud during his season-ending media availability, though he declined to delve into details about contract talks.
Those will be handled on a “case-by-case basis.”
“C.J. had a really good season. He’s done a lot of great things. Done a lot of great things for his team, a lot of great things for this organization,” Caserio told reporters on January 21. “This guy’s been a damn good quarterback in this league for three years. It’s the truth.”
Caserio emphasized that the Texans will examine Stroud’s situation “in totality” this coming offseason.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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