Despite an Offensive Rookie of the Year start, C.J. Stroud faces a looming crossroads as playoff struggles and injury concerns prompt Houston to delay a massive contract extension.
Houston Texans starting quarterback C.J. Stroud news is once again buzzing even into mid-May. Stroud is still waiting on his second NFL contract after an impressive first couple of years in the NFL.
Stroud's strong play has still come with some inconsistency. That inconsistency has more and more analysts suggesting the Texans should take a wait-and-see approach with their star signal caller.
NFL insider Dan Graziano discussed the Texans' lack of a new contract for Stroud in his 10 lingering questions for NFL teams. He explained why Houston's caution makes sense entering the 2026 NFL season.
"Houston tends to be very aggressive with its long-term extensions for its veteran stars. The latest example is Will Anderson Jr., who became the league's highest-paid non-quarterback on the extension he got this offseason after three stellar years at the front of the Texans' defense. ... Anderson got his deal early; Stroud's does not appear to be on the horizon.
The Texans picked up Stroud's fifth-year option for 2027, which was a no-brainer because it means they'll pay him a total of $31.6 million over the next two seasons. But it appears the Texans want to wait to see another year before committing long-term quarterback money.
Why? Well for starters, do you remember the last time we all watched Stroud play? His performance in the team's divisional round playoff game in New England was season-endingly poor. His showing the week before in a wild-card playoff victory over the Steelers wasn't very good, either. Stroud was Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023, and he has won at least one playoff game in each of his three NFL seasons, so there's a lot to like. But the Texans haven't seen marked improvement from him in Years 2 or 3, he missed games because of injury last season and the playoff flops are hard to ignore."
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) looks for an open receiver during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at NRG Stadium. Troy Taormina-Imagn ImagesIt was not as if Stroud was so awful that the Texans would be making a mistake in extending him after last season. Stroud had one concerningly poor game. It just happened to be the last impression many have of him. The quarterback completed 42.6% of his passing in the AFC divisional round against the New England Patriots with a touchdown and four interceptions.
Stroud's down performance was just one data point in an otherwise good season. He will get the chance to prove as much when the Texans kick off the year in September.