Execs weigh in on C.J. Stroud's future. Will the Texans commit to their franchise quarterback, or is a fresh draft pick on the horizon?
The Houston Texans struck gold during the 2023 NFL Draft. The franchise had won just 11 total games over the previous three seasons, and it was obvious that the organization was rebuilding. However, it all turned around in 2023. Houston selected quarterback C.J. Stroud with the second overall pick in the event, and then followed that up by drafting Will Anderson Jr. with the third overall pick. Other additions acquired through that event also played a role in the franchise turning things around, such as Tank Dell, Xavier Hutchinson, and Henry To'oTo'o.
The Texans were expected to show some improvement in the 2023 season, but the young team took the league by storm behind Stroud's play. He put together one of the best rookie seasons by a quarterback in league history. The Texans shocked everyone and won 10 games during the regular season. That was enough to win the AFC South and clinch a spot in the postseason. Houston also won a playoff game that season, which the franchise has done in each of its three seasons with Stroud at quarterback.
Stroud is still decent, but there have been serious signs of regression from the quarterback over the last two seasons. A rough showing against the New England Patriots in the postseason seemingly put him on the hot seat heading into the 2026 offseason, and there has been discussions about his future in Houston. The franchise needs to decide on his fifth-year option during the 2026 offseason, while an extension could also occur.
It has been hard to tell what the Texans are thinking when it comes to potentially extending Stroud before the 2026 season, but anonymous executives from around the league were asked about the situation for an article in The Athletic, "'I think (GM Nick) Caserio is going to let it go year to year,' one exec said. 'He very well may be inclined to draft another guy. It could be another year of Davis Mills (as the backup), and then Caserio drafts another quarterback.' Another exec said he liked Mills as much as he liked Stroud, whom Caserio and ownership have backed this offseason."
Letting the situation play out year to year would likely mean picking up the young quarterback's fifth-year option, keeping him under contract through 2027. If he shows signs of improvement in 2026, an extension could come before the 2027 season begins. That would probably be the smart way to go about things, but a team always runs the risk of the market getting more expensive if it decides to wait.