Texans Will Not Trade C.J. Stroud; Joe Mixon Undergoes Surgery
C.J. Stroud has not built on his 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year performance, and a miserable playoff showing restricted a dominant Texans defense. The quarterback is now extension-eligible, but a recent report pressed pause on that topic.
The Texans do not look to be planning a Stroud extension for 2026, but the team will exercise the former No. 2 overall pick’s fifth-year option. That will extend Stroud’s contract through 2027, buying the organization some time. While Year 5 QB extensions are not commonplace, that may be where this settles.
GM Nick Caserio said Tuesday no trade is coming, confirming (via ESPN.com’s DJ Bien-Aime) the fourth-year passer is “not going anywhere.” Stroud, 24, is on track to make $1.15MM in base salary on his fully guaranteed $36.28MM rookie contract.
Considering the Ohio State product’s rookie-year performance and the flashes shown over the ensuing two seasons, it would be surprising if the Texans truly considered moving on this year. The fifth-year option will create an opportunity for Stroud to boost his stock this season, which would allow him to set a price point closer to the top of the market in 2027.
Most successful QBs who go off the board in Round 1 are extended after their third seasons, but Lamar Jackson and Tua Tagovailoa have been outliers in recent years. Jackson played out his option season and was extended after being franchise-tagged in 2023. The Dolphins let Tagovailoa play out his fourth season and paid him before Year 5. That turned out to be the wrong move, and Miami is on track to eat record-smashing dead money. That example would point to Houston caution with Stroud, but given the mess the organization was in after the Deshaun Watson scandal, giving a promising but unspectacular passer another shot certainly makes sense.
The Texans paired Stroud and Joe Mixon in 2024 but needed to adjust at running back last season, when Mixon missed 17 games because of an unspecified injury. Mixon, 29, landed on the reserve/NFI list because of a “complicated” foot and ankle injury. The 2024 trade acquisition has undergone surgery, Caserio said (via KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson).
The former Bengals regular may not play again. If/when the Texans release Mixon from his two-year, $19.75MM extension, it would free up $8MM in cap space. Nick Chubb played out his one-year Houston contract, but Woody Marks (703 rookie-year rushing yards) has three years left on his rookie deal. The Texans will likely add another RB to complement Marks or push him for the starting job soon.
Texans Not Eyeing Offseason C.J. Stroud Extension?
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.
Texans Will Pick Up QB C.J. Stroud’s Fifth-Year Option; Team To Discuss Offseason Extension
JANUARY 19: When speaking to the media on Monday, Anderson stated he hopes to spend his entire career in Houston. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 confirms talks on a mega-extension are expected, and it would come as no surprise if one were to be finalized during the spring.
JANUARY 12: For now, the Texans’ attention is focused on their upcoming wild-card game and any further playoff contests which follow. Once the season is over, a number of notable contract decisions will need to be made. 
This offseason will mark the first point at which 2023 draftees can sign extensions. That means quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson could land new contracts relatively soon. At a minimum, a choice on the fifth-year option for both players will need to be made by the spring. Neither case should prove to be particularly difficult on that front.
To no surprise, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirms the Texans will exercise Stroud’s option (video link). That comes as no surprise given the 24-year-old’s success early in his career. Houston advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs in each of Stroud’s first two seasons, and a win tonight will extend that streak to three years. Exercising the option will set Stroud up for $26.53MM in 2027.
A long-term pact will of course cost much more than that. Per Rapoport, the Texans will weigh the possibility of working out a second contract this offseason against waiting until after the 2026 campaign is over. The market currently contains 11 passers attached to an average annual value of $51MM or more. Stroud can be expected to join that group whenever his next Texans contract is in place. The status of negotiations will make for a central Texans offseason storyline.
Stroud was selected second overall in the 2023 draft. Houston traded up to the No. 3 spot to add Anderson. Expectations were high in his case as a result, but the former Defensive Rookie of the Year has developed into a major factor in his team’s success. Anderson reached double-digit sacks for the first time in 2024, and he set a new career high in that department this season with 12. That production helped land him a first-team All-Pro nod along with the second Pro Bowl invitation of his career.
Houston will also look into an Anderson extension this offseason, Rapoport adds. In November, it was reported the Texans were expected to explore an early agreement on this front. Picking up Anderson’s fifth-year option will tie him to a 2027 salary of $15.28MM. An extension could move the Alabama product near the top of the pass rush market, one which is currently paced by Micah Parsons at $46.5MM per year.
Working out an agreement with either Stroud or Anderson will of course significantly alter the Texans’ cap outlook for years to come. A strong core is in place, but maintaining it will become more challenging as their respective costs increase. Massive new deals being finalized in either case will come as no surprise, but the timing on both fronts will be interesting to monitor.
Panthers Expected To Pick Up Bryce Young’s Fifth-Year Option, Wait On Extension
In the last 15 season, the Panthers have won more than seven games only three times. They are already at seven wins in 2025 with four games to go after their Week 14 bye, putting them on pace for their best finish since 2017.
Carolina’s success is primarily due to a defense that has improved from dead-last in 2024 to middle of the pack this year, but clutch play from third-year quarterback Bryce Young has been a major factor. He has led four fourth-quarter comebacks and five game-winning drives.
However, he is not exactly setting the world on fire statistically, averaging fewer than 200 passing yards per game and ranking 23rd in passer rating (87.9) and QBR (45.6). Young has also thrown nine interceptions already; last season, he threw nine picks in 14 games, and in 2023, he threw 10 in 16 games.
His performance this season has set up an interesting two years for the Panthers and their young quarterback. Young will be eligible for an extension this offseason, and a decision on his fifth-year option will be due on May 1.
The latter situation is simpler than the former. Young’s fifth-year option is projected by OverTheCap to be $26.5MM, though that could rise to $39.7MM if he makes the Pro Bowl this season. That feels unlikely, but a surprise playoff berth on the back of Young’s clutch performances could garner him some consideration. He does have to be selected on the original ballot to upgrade his fifth-year option, according to the NFL’s CBA; a 2022 Tyler Huntley situation (filling in for an injured original selection) would not qualify. A Pro Bowl bump would make Young’s fifth-year option a much tougher decision, but for now, the team is expected to pick it up, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
Picking up the fifth-year option ensures that Young is under contract at an affordable price for a starter. It would also allow the Panthers to wait on an extension. They are not expected to pursue one this offseason, as Young has not quite cemented himself as the future of the franchise. Another, more significant leap in 2026 may do so, at which point the Panthers would likely try to finalize an extension before the 2027 season.
As a result, the cost of an extension may be substantially lower this offseason as opposed to the next. That sets up a clear dichotomy for the Panthers. Do they want to bet on Young now in the hopes of continue development and a contract that looks like a steal a few years from now? Or do they want to wait and see if he is really their long-term starter.
It is worth noting that Panthers head coach Dave Canales came in the year after the team selected Young with the No. 1 overall pick. As a result, he had to give Young a chance for at least a year or two. The 24-year-old quarterback has responded with some development, but it is hard to argue that he is even a mid-tier starter.
If Young cannot reach or eclipse that level next season, Canales may want to handpick his next quarterback himself. He may already have designs to do so. As the saying goes, NFL stands for Not For Long. Coaches can have extremely short leashes, especially under owners whose teams are struggling and/or are too involved in day-to-day operations. Both could be said of Panthers owner David Tepper, so if Canales wants to be in Carolina for the long haul, he may want to choose the quarterback that will give him the best chance.
The rest of the 2023 class becomes eligible for an extension next offseason. C.J. Stroud is the only quarterback that looks like the future of his franchise, so the Texans are considered more likely to pay him than the Panthers are to pay Young, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Texans QB C.J. Stroud, S Jalen Pitre To Return In Week 13
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans announced on Friday (via Jonathan Alexander of the Houston Chronicle) that quarterback C.J. Stroud and safety Jalen Pitre cleared concussion protocol and will return from their multi-game absences in Week 13 against the Colts.
Stroud suffered a concussion in Week 9 and missed two games before returning to practice in Week 12. He only participated on Tuesday, and Houston’s short week before a Thursday night matchup with the Bills kept him sidelined for another game. Stroud was a full participant for all three of the Texans’ practice this week and will start on Sunday, likely without an injury designation.
Pitre has been in a similar situation to Stroud. His concussion also happened in Week 9, though it was not spotted during the game. He also returned to practice in a limited capacity last week, but was absent on Friday. He was upgraded to full participation on Wednesday, and now that he is no longer in concussion protocol, he may not have an injury designation for Sunday’s game, either.
Backup quarterback Davis Mills struggled in relief of Stroud in Week 9, resulting in an 18-15 loss to the Broncos. But in their three full games without Stroud or Pitre, Houston has gone 3-0. As a starter, Mills averaged 240 yards per game with five touchdowns, one interception, and a 88.25 passer rating. Those numbers are comparable to Stroud’s performance over the last two years, which is significantly below the standard he set as a rookie.
Pitre’s replacement, Myles Bryant, has also held up in the last three games. He has capably filled Pitre’s versatile role with 42 snaps in the slot, 31 as a free safety, and 82 at nickel, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He has made 14 total tackles and missed only two, and though he has allowed catches on nine of his 12 targets, he has limited those receptions to just 45 yards. Like Mills, those are comparable numbers, if not better numbers, relative to the Texans’ usual starter. Pitre has 45 tackles this season, an average of 5.6 per game, with a 16.7% missed tackle rate. He has also allowed 7.7 yards per target. Bryant has averaged 4.6 tackles in the last three weeks with a 12.5% missed tackle rate to go along with only 3.75 yards per target.
Pitre will return to his starting role in Week 13, but Bryant may have earned himself a role in some dime packages. Mills, however, will be on the bench for the rest of the season with the Texans hoping Stroud can bounce-back from a quiet first half and make a late-season playoff push. Houston is currently 6-5 – meaning that Mills and Bryant helped keep their postseason hopes alive – but they trail the Colts and the Jaguars in the AFC South. Their best path to the playoffs is likely a wild card berth, but that may be difficult with the Bills, Ravens, Steelers, Chargers, and Chiefs also angling for those three spots.
Stroud’s return will come against a Colts defense that has allowed 245.5 passing yards per game this season, the fifth-most in the league. However, their 7.2 yards per attempt allowed and 33 sacks rank 10th and sixth, respectively. In the last two weeks, Indianapolis has only given up 377 passing yards, which coincides with the addition of Sauce Gardner and the return of Charvarius Ward from injured reserve. It’s also worth noting that the Colts have faced the second-most passing attempts in the NFL as a result of consistently leading games. Therefore, there is some reason to believe that the Colts’ pass defense has not struggled as much as it seems and may not be as porous for the rest of the year.
C.J. Stroud Returns To Practice; Texans QB Ruled Out For Week 12
2:23pm: The Texans have officially ruled out Stroud and Pitre for Week 12, according to Wilson.
1:15pm: Davis Mills has started each of the Texans’ past two games. He is in line to handle QB1 duties for a third straight week, but C.J. Stroud is making progress in his recovery from a concussion. 
Stroud has returned to practice on Tuesday, something ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime first reported was expected to take place. That is an encouraging step on Stroud’s path to returning to the lineup, although he is not expected to play in Week 12. The former No. 2 pick remains in concussion protocol, and the Texans are on a short week as they prepare to play the Bills on Thursday.
Stroud was concussed midway through Houston’s Week 9 loss to Denver. The team has managed to win each of its two contests since then with Mills at the helm. The Texans are 5-5 as a result, meaning a playoff berth is certainly attainable. Of course, having Stroud back to full health relatively soon will be key in determining their chances of making the postseason.
In an encouraging update, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports Stroud’s symptoms of headaches and sensitivity to light have subsided. That suggests the 24-year-old will be able to clear the remaining stages of the protocol relatively soon. If that proves to be the case, a return in time for a Week 13 matchup with the Colts could very well be in store.
Stroud played in all of Houston’s 19 combined regular and postseason contests last year, and he missed only two games as a rookie (although that absence was also caused by a concussion). The Ohio State product has not managed to replicate the production seen during his sensational debut campaign, but he profiles as Houston’s franchise passer for the foreseeable future. This coming offseason will be the first in which Stroud will be eligible for an extension.
Mills has thrown for 292 and 274 yards during his two starts so far, posting three touchdowns and one interception along the way. On Thursday, he will take on a Bills defense which has struggled mightily against the run in 2025 but ranks second in the NFL in terms of passing yards allowed per game. It will be interesting to see how Mills fares in what will be his final start provided Stroud continues to progress through his recovery.
Jalen Pitre returned to practice yesterday, and Wilson notes he is taking part in Tuesday’s work as well. Pitre, like Stroud, remains in concussion protocol at this time. Both players are working their way back, though, and a return by Week 13 would come as no surprise.
Texans Rule Out C.J. Stroud For Week 11; Davis Mills To Start
After suffering a concussion in Week 9, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud will miss his second straight game this Sunday. The Texans ruled him out on Thursday (via Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2). Head coach DeMeco Ryans announced that backup signal-caller Davis Mills will start against the Titans in Week 11.
Stroud sustained his injury on a hit from Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine in an 18-15 loss on Nov. 2. A week and a half later, he’s still in concussion protocol and continuing to experience symptoms. Stroud hasn’t returned to practice as a result.
It’s unclear how much more time Stroud will miss, though it’s worth noting that the Texans will be on a short week after facing the Titans. They’ll host the Bills next Thursday. The quick turnaround will give Stroud less time to return to full strength ahead of an important matchup between AFC playoff contenders.
Winners of back-to-back AFC South titles in Stroud’s first two seasons, the 4-5 Texans are sitting on the outside of the playoff picture in his third year. They’re lagging well behind the surprising Colts, who are atop the division at 8-2. However, the Mills-led Texans pulled out a critical win against the division rival Jaguars last week to keep hope alive.
After going 17 of 30 for a paltry 137 yards off the bench in the Denver game, Mills completed 27 of 45 passes for 292 yards, three touchdowns (one rushing), and an interception in a 36-29 victory in Week 10. Mills led a dramatic 19-point comeback in the fourth quarter and scored the game-winning TD on a 14-yard run with 31 seconds left.
Mills is now in line to make his 28th start since the Texans selected him in the third round (67th overall) of the 2021 draft. The Stanford product took over as the Texans’ starter for most of his rookie year, the season Deshaun Watson sat out as a healthy scratch. Mills retained the job in 2022 after Houston traded Watson to Cleveland, but the Texans’ 3-13-1 finish enabled them to pick Stroud second overall in the ensuing draft.
With a healthy Stroud at the helm of their offense, Mills didn’t make a single start from 2023-24. Still, the Texans believed enough in Mills to hand him an extension with a fully guaranteed $7MM in September. Two months later, they’re relying on Mills’ help to stay in the race.
The Texans are likely confident in their chances on Sunday against the 1-8 Titans, especially after throttling them 26-0 in Week 4. Far tougher tests are looming, however, with Buffalo, Indianapolis, and Kansas City next on the schedule. Ideally for the Texans, they’ll climb to .500 for the first time this week and then get Stroud back for what could be a season-defining three-game stretch.
Texans Rule Out C.J. Stroud For Week 10
Suffering a concussion during the Texans’ Week 9 loss to the Broncos, C.J. Stroud will not make an immediate return. DeMeco Ryans confirmed (via KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson) his quarterback will miss Week 10.
Ryans ruling Stroud out at the start of his team’s practice week is certainly notable, as concussion protocol steps are in place to make a potential return possible. But the NFL has beefed up its standards for returning from head injuries. The Jaguars will face Davis Mills on Sunday.
A Kris Abrams-Draine hit on Stroud, initially ruled a penalty before the flag was picked up, led to the third-year quarterback’s concussion. The Texans dropped an 18-15 result, with neither quarterback able to punch in a touchdown against Denver’s formidable defense. Mills struggled particularly on third downs, with the Texans just 3-for-17 in that area. They missed on 14 of their final 15 third-down tries, as Mills had not been called upon to make a start for a while in Houston.
The Texans turned to then-backup Case Keenum during a two-game Stroud injury absence — due to a concussion — but saw the veteran passer sidelined throughout the 2024 season because of injury. Stroud, though, started all 17 games last season and took the field in both Houston postseason contests. Keenum joined the Bears in free agency this offseason, leaving Mills as the solo Texans backup. The team extended the former third-round pick in September.
During the Deshaun Watson healthy-scratch season, Mills was the Texans’ primary starter. That remained the case after the team dealt Watson to Cleveland for a historic bounty in 2022. Mills has made 26 career starts, going 5-19-1 (albeit with lower-end rosters in those years). He will receive at least one more this season, thanks to Stroud’s second documented concussion as a pro.
Mills was 17 of 30 for 156 yards against the Broncos, averaging just 4.6 per pass. Extension-eligible in January 2026, Stroud has seen his stock dip — as O-line and wide receiver issues have cropped up during the past two seasons — since his Offensive Rookie of the Year season. But Mills’ insufficient Week 9 relief effort certainly hindered Houston’s effort in a winnable game. At 3-5, the Texans suddenly need their former starter to come up with a win over the Jags. Stroud will move through the protocol this week, but his next chance to play will come against the Titans in Week 11. Houston then has a short-week matchup against Buffalo.
Texans QB C.J. Stroud Suffers Concussion
The Texans will need to play at least the remainder of Week 9 without their starting quarterback. C.J. Stroud has been ruled out of today’s game due to a concussion.
After being tackled by Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, Stroud’s head hit the turf. He remained down on the field for several minutes before walking off the field under his own power. Stroud spent time in the medical tent before being taken to the locker room for further evaluation.
The 24-year-old has since been ruled out for the remainder of the contest. As a result, backup QB Davis Mills will be tasked with leading the offense the rest of the way. At the time the Texans announced the update on Stroud, they were leading Denver 12-7.
The team’s elite defense will be leaned on to maintain its current advantage. Houston entered Sunday ranked first in the NFL in both points and yards allowed, and another strong showing would help those statistics and give the Texans an opportunity to improve to 4-4 on the year. Even if that takes place, of course, Stroud’s recovery timeline will be a major storyline moving forward.
The third-year passer has only missed two games in his career. During his rookie campaign, though, Stroud suffered a concussion. This latest injury could lead to an absence spanning at least Week 10, since players very rarely clear concussion protocol in time to suit up one week after suffering one. Mills may be counted on beyond the remainder of today’s game as a result.
Stroud has not managed to duplicate the success of his Offensive Rookie of the Year-winning campaign in 2022. He nevertheless helped lead Houston to the divisional round of the postseason again last year. In spite of the Texans’ early struggles during the current campaign, a playoff berth could certainly still be in store. Much of the team’s outlook moving forward will depend on Stroud’s health, however. His situation will thus be worth watching closely over the coming days.
Texans’ C.J. Stroud To Return In Week 17
3:19pm: Stroud will be back under center after two missed games. Following his return to practice, Stroud has cleared concussion protocol. The Texans removed the rookie standout from their injury report, putting him on track to return to action in Week 17.
11:12am: Continuing to make progress in his recovery from a concussion, C.J. Stroud has taken another important step forward. The Texans quarterback has resumed practicing, an encouraging sign for his Week 17 availability.
As detailed by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, Stroud is now in the fourth of five stages in the league’s concussion protocol. As a result, he remains on track to receive clearance in time for Houston’s New Year’s Eve game against the Titans. That is the expected return date for the Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate, and such a development would do wonders for the Texans’ playoff push.
Stroud has missed the past two games, and Houston surprisingly turned to Case Keenum in his place. The latter helped lead the team to an overtime victory in his 2023 debut, but he struggled last week against the Browns. Keenum was benched mid-game in favor of Davis Mills, who has spent much of the year as Stroud’s backup. Having their starter back in the lineup would give a critical boost to the Texans’ offense, a unit which has generally impressed in 2023.
The No. 2 pick has posted 3,631 passing yards while posting a 20:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his rookie year. Stroud has added 143 yards and another three scores on the ground, part of his overall ability to guide a transitioning Texans team toward an unexpected playoff berth. Sitting at 8-7, Houston still has a chance to win the AFC South or secure a wild-card spot.
Having a healthy Stroud in place would be a signficant development considering the number of backup quarterbacks in place throughout the AFC playoff picture. The Ohio State product still has work to do to clear the final stage of the protocol, so his continued improvement over the coming days will be a story to follow closely. As was the case over the weekend, though, signs point to a crucial late-season return.