The Clock Is Ticking For The Houston Texans And C.J. Stroud

Michael serves as TWSN’s site manager, covering everything from the NFL to MLB. Fantasy football remains his biggest passion, with his writing career beginning during his time at Ohio State University.

The 2026 NFL Draft is now just weeks away, and while that is the primary focus of every team across the league, there are other aspects of the offseason to navigate as well.

The Houston Texans are set to face key decisions surrounding the two players from the 2023 draft class who redefined their roster’s core. More specifically, they’ll have to sort out what the future holds for C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr.

Houston just picked up the fifth-year option for both players, but now, it’s time to talk about extensions.

The Texans have exercised the 2027 fifth-year options on the contracts of QB CJ Stroud and All Pro DE Will Anderson, per source.

Stroud is now due $25.904M in 2027, while Anderson is due $21.512M.

Both players are also extension eligible. pic.twitter.com/IFBcqyEQG3

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 8, 2026

Anderson is a no-brainer. He’s been a stud since entering the NFL, and he’ll be the centerpiece of the Texans’ defense for years to come. There’s no doubt that the front office will hand him a top-of-market contract.

Stroud, on the other hand, presents a more complicated situation.

TWSN Quick Facts

League: NFL
Team: Houston Texans
Player: C.J. Stroud
Position: Quarterback

C.J. Stroud’s Future With The Houston Texans

Through three NFL seasons, Stroud’s career arc has been rather perplexing.

In his rookie campaign, he amassed 4,108 passing yards and tossed 23 touchdowns, both of which remain career highs. He also led Houston to 10 wins and a victory in the Wild Card, just one year after the team won three games.

Since then, it’s been downhill. Houston has made it to the Divisional Round in each of the last two seasons, but Stroud has individually regressed.

After year two, many folks, myself included, pinned the blame on a poor offensive line and a banged-up receiving corps. Last season, though, Stroud believers didn’t exactly have a leg to stand on. He underwhelmed in the regular season, and seven turnovers in two postseason games effectively cost Houston a trip to the Super Bowl.

Between the eye test, the counting stats, and the efficiency metrics, everything pointed to a quarterback who was struggling to find his groove.

Unfortunately for the Texans, this poor play is coming at a tough time.

With Stroud now eligible for an extension, the timer has been set for their decision on what his future looks like.

Do they extend him now and attempt to get a discounted rate after two lackluster seasons? Recent reporting indicates that’s not the plan.

If that’s how things play out this offseason, the stage will be set for a pivotal 2026 campaign.

Stroud will want to prove that he’s worthy of the $50-million-per-year deal that everyone seems to be getting these days. On the other side, Houston’s front office will undoubtedly want to know that they have a surefire starter at the most important position in the sport.

But if he struggles to reclaim his 2023 form next season, both sides will find themselves in an even stickier situation. Stroud will have no guarantee of a lucrative second contract, while the Texans may be forced to reconsider their plans at quarterback.

Everyone involved would certainly like to see a season from Stroud that leaves few questions about his status as the “franchise guy” in Houston, but clarity is far from a guarantee.

For now, though, the clock is ticking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s some background information on Stroud.

How Old is C.J. Stroud?

Stroud was born on October 3, 2001, making him 24 years old at the moment.

What Were C.J. Stroud’s Stats in 2025?

Here are Stroud’s numbers from 2025:

Games Played: 14
Completions: 273
Attempts: 423
Completion Rate: 64.5%
Passing Yards: 3,041
Passing Touchdowns: 19
Interceptions: 8

Where Did C.J. Stroud Go to College?

Stroud played quarterback at Ohio State University, serving as a two-year starter for the Buckeyes.

Has C.J. Stroud Signed an Extension Yet?

Stroud had not yet signed a long-term extension, but his fifth-year option was recently picked up.

The Clock Is Ticking For The Houston Texans And C.J. Stroud

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