Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

As the Houston Texans move forward with the NFL offseason, there are real questions around the team. Despite Houston finishing the year with a record of 12-5 on the season, even winning a road playoff game, the status of quarterback C.J. Stroud remains a talking point.

Stroud missed some time this year due to injury, and the team didn’t really skip a beat. With Davis Mills under center, the Texans went 3-0, helping them to turn the season around after a slow start.

Once again, Stroud showed signs of regression from his spectacular rookie season, but since the team was winning, the talk quieted. However, once the postseason got going, everything seemed to go off the rails for Stroud, leading to this current discussion.

Stroud’s 2025 playoff run included eight turnovers and multiple other plays that were close to resulting in turnovers for the Texans. His play was a main reason why Houston felt short in the divisional round of the playoffs against the New England Patriots, despite the team having an excellent defensive unit.

All of this, combined with the fact that Stroud is now extension elibigle has allowed trade speculation to arise. Houston may want to put its eggs into another basket after its poor postseason, and rumors are swirling.

CJ Stroud Trade Incoming?

According to NFL insider Albert Breer, due to the financial situation that the Texans find themselves in, Stroud could potentially be moved. Mix this in with how he has played, and Houston may look to at least discuss a deal with other teams.

“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 wrote. “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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Miami Dolphins Make Sense For CJ Stroud

If Stroud is traded this offseason, albeit with low chances, the Miami Dolphins would make a lot of sense. Not only do the Dolphins have a need at the quarterback position with them likely moving off Tua Tagovailoa, but the fit works.

With Miami, Stroud would reunite with Bobby Slowik, who was just promoted to be the Dolphins’ new offensive coordinator. The two have a history from their time in Houston together, and Slowik is the one who oversaw Stroud’s dominant rookie season.

Under the leadership of Slowik, Stroud threw for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns as a rookie, leading to him winning the AP’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Maybe a change of scenery and a reunion with Slowik could be just what Stroud needs, and the Dolphins could find their franchise quarterback of the future.

Putting the offensive weapons of the Dolphins could allow Stroud to have some freedom, and he could help take this team to new heights. Miami wants to build something special with this new regime, and the former No. 2 overall pick could be the answer if he becomes available.

Of course, trading Stroud would be very risky for the Texans, especially since he has taken the organization to the postseason every year as a starter. But for this team to take that next level toward being a true Super Bowl contender, tough decisions may need to be made, with Stroud potentially being one of those.

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