June 28, 2026, 1:00 p.m. ET
The Pittsburgh Steelers have their quarterback situation figured out for the 2026 season, but beyond that — well, it isn’t pretty. But the Steelers have been linked to one future option at quarterback, C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Jacob Punturi, Stroud’s contract dilemma with the Texans could open the door for the Steelers to acquire the young quarterback as early as the 2027 season.
“After the 2026 season, the Steelers have no clue what will happen,” Punturi wrote. “Maybe Rodgers returns in 2027 after all. Maybe Allar or Howard are the future starter the fanbase longs for. No one is certain about what awaits this team after the coming campaign. Or maybe, the answer for Pittsburgh is playing for another team in the NFL right now. That player might even be Houston Texans starter C.J. Stroud. As he and the Texans stand at a contractual impasse, it only increases the chances of Stroud landing in Pittsburgh for the 2027 season.”
Stroud, who was selected by the Texans with the second overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, remains under contract with Houston through the 2028 season, as the team picked up his fifth-year option this past April.
Stroud’s struggles late last season may leave the Texans hesitant to hand out an extension anytime soon. But if the Steelers could land the 24-year-old signal-caller at a bargain, why not take a chance and pair him with proven quarterback guru Mike McCarthy after Aaron Rodgers retires?
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