The Texans have put a serious offer on the table for C.J. Stroud, but the quarterback may be willing to let this thing ride.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Houston recently made what it viewed as a competitive proposal to its young star, one that would have placed Stroud in a strong spot among the group of quarterbacks currently earning at least $50 million per year. Still, Fowler said his sources believe Stroud is prepared to play out the 2026 season and back himself, with the idea that a bigger payday could come later if he keeps producing.
That lines up with what Texans general manager Nick Caserio said recently when he told reporters the sides had productive conversations, but that the team would revisit things next offseason if a deal isn’t done by Week 1.
“We’ll either get it figured out before the season starts, and if we don’t get it figured out before the season starts, then it’ll be something we address in the off-season,” Caserio said, via DJ Bien-Aime.
Stroud is now entering the fourth year of his rookie contract, and Houston already exercised his fifth-year option last year. That means he’s set to make a base salary of $25,904,000 in 2027.
The Texans drafted Stroud No. 2 overall after he declared for the 2022 NFL Draft following his junior season at Ohio State. Before that, he was a first-team All-Big 10 selection in both years as a starter and earned second-team All-American honors in 2022.
His rookie deal was worth $36.3 million over four years and included a $23.38 million signing bonus. The fifth-year option is fully guaranteed at $25.904 million for the 2027 season.
On the field in 2025, Stroud played in 14 games and completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also added 209 rushing yards and a touchdown on 48 carries.
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