Texans secure their star duo! C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. will return through 2027, answering critical questions about their long-term futures with the team.
The Houston Texans have had the contracts of both quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. hanging over the organization's head for the last year or two. The two were picked second and third overall, respectively, in the 2023 NFL Draft. Both have been hits despite Stroud's recent regression, and there have been questions about Houston's plan for the future regarding contract extensions for either or both players.
Since both Stroud and Anderson were first-round picks back in 2023, they will be entering what is typically the final season of a player's rookie deal. However, first-round picks have a fifth-year option on their contracts that their organization's get to decide on. A decision on the option must be made during the offseason before the fourth year of the rookie deal, and the deadline usually falls around May or June. It was reported on Wednesday that the franchise would be picking up the fifth-year option for both players.
A couple of factors go into the price tag of a fifth-year option for a player. One is the position, second is playing time, and third is Pro Bowls. Both players have been to Pro-Bowls, and both have been starters ever since they were drafted, so the price of their options is essentially maxed out. The price tag is for the 2027 season alone, and the number is fully guaranteed.
This was an interesting thing to follow, as Houston has opted to forego the fifth-year option in the past and instead extend the player right away. This was the case with star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., and many believed it might happen with Anderson. It wouldn't make sense to do it with Stroud, as the average annual value of a quarterback extension would probably cost double what the fifth-year option does. Edge rushers also get paid a ton now after the market has been reset over the last couple of years, so it wouldn't have made much sense to do it with Anderson either as he would probably get paid around $45 million per season.
Extensions for each player can still be agreed to during the 2026 offseason, but fans now at least know that both players will be back for at least the 2027 season. They will almost certainly be back for longer than that, but nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. It is fair to assume Anderson will be extended first, while the organization might want to wait on Stroud, who has not been himself over the last two seasons.