Trade chatter around Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud picked up momentum this week after former Texans QB Ryan Fitzpatrick offered a surprising take on the young passer’s future.

Fitzpatrick, who spent the 2014 season in Houston, suggested Stroud could be a valuable trade asset if the Texans believe their long-term outlook might not improve quickly enough.

Fitzpatrick said he has watched Houston closely and questioned whether the team will be significantly better next season or even in two years.

He added that multiple franchises would likely be willing to part with major draft capital, potentially two first-round picks plus additional assets, to acquire a quarterback with Stroud’s talent and upside.

For now, any trade talk remains speculative. Stroud is still viewed as a foundational player in Houston, but Fitzpatrick’s comments highlight how quickly perceptions can shift in the NFL.

If the Texans ever entertained such a move, it would reshape both their roster strategy and the league’s quarterback landscape.