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While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Houston Texans<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>general manager Nick Caserio revealed<\/a> that he will address the future of quarterback\u00a0<\/span>C.J. Stroud<\/a> “in the offseason” if the two sides don’t agree to a contract extension before the 2026 campaign gets underway.\u00a0<\/p>\n On Wednesday, ESPN NFL<\/a> insider Jeremy Fowler suggested that Stroud is just fine with remaining on his current deal after the Texans picked up his fifth-year option for 2027.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Several people with knowledge of the situation believe Stroud is prepared to play out this season without a new deal, despite Houston making what it considered a competitive offer,” Fowler wrote.<\/a> “There’s still time before kickoff to reach a deal — and the Texans’ front office is aggressive in re-signing core players — but the current sentiment is Stroud will most likely not end up with a new deal.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n What the Texans should offer Stroud, if anything at all, became an interesting topic<\/a> after he tossed five\u00a0<\/span>interceptions<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>and lost two fumbles\u00a0over Houston’s two playoff games in January. While Stroud, the second overall pick of the 2023 draft, looked like a future superstar as he earned Offensive Rookie of the Year Award honors, he has since failed to routinely perform at such a level.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Big-money contracts handed to\u00a0<\/span>Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray by their former clubs have been mentioned<\/a> by those who think the Texans shouldn’t make a financial commitment to Stroud this summer. However, Lamar Jackson\u00a0of the\u00a0<\/span>Baltimore Ravens<\/a> and others could reset the market for the position\u00a0<\/span>next year,<\/span><\/a>\u00a0which could leave the Texans wishing they had taken care of Stroud if he ultimately plays well through January 2027.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “My understanding is Houston is prepared to put Stroud in what it feels is a strong place among the 12 quarterbacks in the $50M club,” Fowler added. “But\u00a0<\/span>like Jackson,<\/span><\/a>\u00a0Stroud can let an exploding quarterback market do the work for him if he waits an additional six to eight months. By all accounts, Stroud had a strong training camp and believes he can rebound from last season’s struggles. Houston is squarely in the Super Bowl discussion based on its talent level and elite defense. There’s a lot for Stroud to gain — and potentially lose — by delaying a deal.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Like Jackson, Stroud seems to be willing to bet on himself. Perhaps Stroud will truly thrive<\/a> in his second season playing under offensive coordinator Nick Caley.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nC.J. Stroud “will most likely” do this ahead of 2026 season<\/h2>\n
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Will Texans regret not locking C.J. Stroud down now?\u00a0<\/h2>\n
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