It is a foregone conclusion that the Texans will exercise quarterback C.J. Stroud’s fifth-year option, thereby assuring him of a $26.53MM salary for 2027. It is less certain that Houston will discuss a long-term contract with Stroud’s camp this offseason, and Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 unequivocally asserts those talks will not commence until next year.
In a lengthy video report addressing recent speculation that Houston could consider trading Stroud – whose middling 2025 regular season culminated in two turnover-riddled playoff contests and another divisional-round exit – Wilson says contract talks are not in the team’s immediate plans. Instead, he believes the club and Stroud will reach an understanding in which the Texans tell the former No. 2 overall pick they will be happy to pay him like a franchise passer a year from now, after a strong 2026 performance.
Although he does not explicitly say so, one of the reports Wilson appears to be referencing is one recently published by Albert Breer of SI.com. Per Breer, it may be difficult to get Stroud to accept anything less than the $60MM-per-year payout that Cowboys’ QB Dak Prescott presently enjoys, which Breer suggests will soon become the new benchmark for high-end quarterback contracts.
Of course, given that Stroud followed up his Offensive Rookie of the Year showing in 2023 with two less inspiring seasons, and given that his two most recent playoff games featured a combined five fumbles (two lost) and five interceptions, it is fair to wonder if his track record and upside merit a top-shelf deal. While not as adamant as Wilson, Breer indicates the Texans could delay contract talks until the 2027 offseason.
If Houston does elect to negotiate, its perception of Stroud’s value may be starkly different than the player’s self-evaluation, which could cause the talks to get “sticky.” Breer echoes prior reports that the Texans may be aggressive in seeking an extension for edge rusher Will Anderson, and if they authorize a top-of-the-market pact for the defensive star but not for their QB1, the relationship between Stroud and the club may become strained.
Either development – contentious negotiations or an outright postponement of negotiations – could pique the interest of QB-needy teams, which could then try to pry Stroud away from Houston. Breer does not say the Texans have received calls on Stroud, nor does he indicate they would even entertain such calls if they came in, but it makes sense that other clubs would be monitoring the situation just in case.
But even if they do not believe he is presently deserving of a $60MM/year contract, the Texans have no intention of trading Stroud, per Wilson (who says it would cost at least two first-round picks for an interested team to acquire him). Wilson goes on to say Houston’s plan is to bolster the O-line, upgrade the tight end room, and add another starting-caliber running back. Those moves, in conjunction with a second year under offensive coordinator Nick Caley, are expected to allow Stroud to thrive in 2026 and improve his earning power in 2027.
A responsible franchise? Good for Huston. Jags, AZ, and Miami all have buyers remorse for their ‘franchise QB’s.’ signings.
Don’t think Jags are having remorse with Lawrence coming off 13-4 season with over 4k yrds and 38 total td
From google: As of the end of the 2025 NFL regular season, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has a 35-42 career regular-season record (45.5% win rate). Drafted first overall in 2021, Lawrence has led the team to one playoff victory (2022 season) and has a 1-2 career postseason record.
That shouldn’t be the resume of a $50m+ player. That’s my opinion.
Absolutely hilarious the narrative some of you posters follow when it comes to the Jaguars and Trevor Lawrence. None of you actually watch their games or pay attention.
Lawrence having Meyer there his rookie season was a dumpster fire and a negative for his development.
The following season after he got used to Peterson’s system the Jags finish the year 6-2 to win the division.
2023 they start 8-3 then Lawrence gets his ankle stepped on during MNF and he hobbles to finish the season as do the Jags.
2024 Lawrence dealt with multiple injuries and misses the last 7 games due to this.
2025 Once Lawrence gets used to Coen’s system he’s dominant.
Lawrence is and will be who the Kags thought they were drafting.
Trevor threw 2 backbreaking picks in the playoffs this year. What was this, year 5? Dude is average and certainly not worth $50m+. Nice guy, yeah; average QB yeah as well. I live in Jax. I seen plenty of his games.
Against the best pass D in the league lol also the second pick was a great defensive play. Those things happen. The Jags didn’t lose that game because of him. McDermott out coached Coen.
The guy hasn’t been given a fair shake by those who don’t pay attention.
The ascension of Lawrence has begun. Watch out going forward.
Past is the past, the only thing that matters is the present and the future
It was 1 season.
He needs to show he can be consistent before that can be said.
I half agree in that there were questions about him going into this year. Hope last year was just a blip and he is back on track now. It would be be a good sign if he can crack 30 TDs in 2026.
I’m all for Stroud getting the best deal he can, but after the last couple of seasons (especially that last postseason?), he must see that the ball’s in his court- Step up with a big ’27 and get paid in a big way… In lieu of the damage the wrong giant contract can do, I don’t think there’s a team that would proceed any differently than the Texans right now.
Houston be dumb to trade him now
Do what they are saying n getting a OL , RB and TE amd they be in the Super Bowl
Even if Stroud is worse than he looked at the start of his career, he’s still what, around the number 15 quarterback in the league? If you’re a team that will never draft high because the defense is too good, Stroud beats being like the Steelers in recent years, and he might look a lot better if they actually fixed his line.
This will be a referendum on the GM and the OC. if they fix the line and Stroud shows what he did as a rookie wasn’t a fluke, Houston should pay him.
Houstons OL wasn’t very good this year. Couple that with no running game and weak WRs. Wasn’t surprised he wasn’t that good. He was getting chased and harassed that playoff game which caused the TOs. Should he cause this many TOs at this stage in his career? No. Is he worth $50M per year? No. I see that QB market coming down, too many teams got bit by it. Get Stroud a running game and some decent WRs and he should improve.
If they got a great offer I guess a trade is possible. But they would probably be trying to get a cheap Sam Darnold type and stack the rest of the team.
Unless CJ agrees to that lower contract
In that playoff game everyone says it was CJ’s fault even though he literally did not have an offensive line and was getting pressured on every play
Houston needs o-line help in the draft they shouldn’t have traded away Tunsil
literally no o-line, huh?
Teams have to take a stand. Just because you’re a qb doesn’t mean you’re worth 50 million plus. Look at tua
GMs really have no alternative but to pay a starting QB the going rate of about $50MM. Taking a stand means you have to settle for a stop gap option like Joe Flacco or Philip Rivers.
That’s not true though. Hire the right coaches, build the right system, and QB success can be manufactured. There are several examples.
And once that success is achieved, do you really think the QB is going to be content making significantly less money that the other starting QBs in the league that achieved even less success?
Stroud is not good enough to win a Super Bowl. I would trade him for assets.
Trade him to the Jets
Yea I would honestly just go year by year with him and see what happens when they do as stated in the bottom paragraph, does he succeed with better OL and position players around him.