C.J. Stroud is coming off a rough season, but he’s still in demand.
The Houston Texans quarterback struggled in 2025, and put up the worst numbers of his young career to date.
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Stroud will be subject to trade interest in 2026Credit: Getty
He threw for 3,041 yards and 19 touchdowns, which ranked him 19th and 21st amongst NFL signal-callers.
Those numbers are low, compared to his standout debut season — 4,108 yards and 23 TDs — which saw him named Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Stroud’s drop off has been alarming for some, and the timing isn’t ideal, given he’s extension-eligible for the first time in his career.
Rumors that he could sign a mega-deal with the Texans have been swirling for some time, and earlier this month, ESPN’s Dan Graziano predicted the 24-year-old signal caller could ink a four-year deal worth $224 million.
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His future, though, could lie away from Houston.
C.J. Stroud becomes shock trade target
NFL draft analyst Todd McShay noted on Monday that he expects plenty of quarterbacks, such Stroud, to be targeted in trades across the league.
“I’m told, don’t be surprised if in the next couple of weeks there are some big-name quarterbacks that are going to be targeted,” McShay said.
“C.J. Stroud is one of them… does he need a change of scenery? Be prepared for that.
“Stroud hasn’t been the guy the last two years in Houston that he was in his rookie year.
“Some (teams) are looking at that and saying, ‘can we get that rookie year out of Stroud here?'”
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Stroud struggled in 2025 at the Texans might be hesitant to pay himCredit: GettyWhat has sparked trade buzz around C.J. Stroud?
Just 12 months ago, Stroud was undoubtedly the franchise guy in Houston.
But he struggled in 2025, and the Texans were powered to the divisional round of the playoffs thanks to their NFL-leading defense.
On that side of the ball, star defensive end Will Anderson Jr. will also soon be seeking a mega-money contract.
The Texans, then, might be hesitant to pay Stroud the kind of money that has already been floated.
Other teams, perhaps, could swoop in with a big offer to tempt him away from the Texans.
Trade buzz around Stroud has been building for some time, too.
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A number of NFL teams have QB needs and could offer Stroud a dealCredit: Getty
Earlier this month, Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer hinted at a possible trade, and noted the quarterback’s situation was ‘fascinating’.
“The team can exercise the fifth-year option on Stroud’s rookie contract between now and the middle of May, which would lock Stroud in with the Texans at a fully guaranteed $26.5 million for 2027, and I’d expect they will,” he wrote.
“It’s a more than reasonable rate for a starting quarterback in the current economic environment.
“However, extension talks will be interesting. After what Josh Allen and Dak Prescott received in 2025, a top-shelf quarterback deal going forward will be $60 million-plus, and it might be tough to get Stroud and his camp to take less than that.
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“I’d also expect the team to move aggressively to lock down Will Anderson Jr., like they did Derek Stingley Jr. last year, which could create some awkwardness.
“If Stroud’s contract negotiations get sticky, or the Texans prefer to punt them to next year — while rewarding Anderson — 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?
“These are questions other teams have certainly asked, as Stroud’s gone through his ups and downs.”
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Houston could make extending defensive star Anderson a priority in 2026Credit: Getty
Breer’s piece ended with him urging fans to ‘stay tuned’ on the quarterback’s situation.
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While the Texans are still in a strong position, and Stroud has shown no signs of frustration in Houston, he could be a name to watch as the new NFL year approaches.
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