As Houston’s franchise cornerstone nears a massive extension, league executives predict a high-stakes standoff where market leverage—not just performance—dictates whether Stroud becomes the NFL's next highest-paid player.
How much is a quality quarterback worth in 2026? The Houston Texans are about to find out.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is nearing his second contract in the NFL. Rest assured, it will be expensive. What the Texans are willing, or able, to pay for Stroud will be fascinating to watch.
ESPN NFL analyst D.J. Bien-Aime shared what one NFC front office member had to say about Stroud and what he thinks Stroud is worth paying heading into his second contract. Here's what Bien-Aime shared.
"'Offer him something like top 8-12 [QB] money,' an NFC executive said. 'I'd try to give him a three-year extension at like $42-45 million per year now. Or plan to franchise him out like [Dallas Cowboys QB] Dak Prescott in 2020.'
The eighth-highest annual salary for a quarterback belongs to the Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts ($51 million) and the 12th belongs to the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes ($45 million).
The NFC executive believes Stroud and his management team -- led by agent David Mulugheta of Athletes First -- would reject the 8-12 deal. The executive said he would be willing to increase the offer to strike a deal, and if that failed, just prepare to use the franchise tag if needed in 2028.
Texans owner Cal McNair would love to have his cornerstone pieces like Stroud and Anderson in Houston for the foreseeable future. But he won't meddle in the football discussion, he'll just sign the checks."
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) after the game against the New England Patriots in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium. David Butler II-Imagn ImagesIn today's NFL, quarterbacks seem to have all the leverage. Often, the highest paid quarterback is simply the next franchise quarterback whose contract has expired. After all, who in the league has done more for their franchise than multi-Super Bowl winner and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has done for his team? He's the No. 12 highest paid quarterback in the NFL.
For the better part of a decade or more, merit among franchise quarterbacks has had nothing to do with which quarterback is the highest paid at his position. You are either a franchise quarterback or not. And if you are a franchise player, you become the highest paid when it's your turn for a new deal.
Some teams have tried to buck that trend. The Washington Commanders failed to re-sign Kirk Cousins after giving him the franchise tag. The Minnesota Vikings let Sam Darnold walk after an explosive, 35-touchdown, 4,300-plus yard season in 2024.
We haven't seen many teams pass on re-signing a franchise caliber quarterback over money and it pay off for them. That said, you have to feel confident that quarterback can take you to the Super Bowl if you make him the league's highest paid player.
The Texans seem committed to building around Stroud. We'll see what that means when the team offers his second contract in the near future.