Houston – The Houston Texans announced that contract negotiations with quarterback C.J. Stroud will be tabled until after the 2026 regular season. General manager Nick Caserio explained that the front office will not discuss a new deal while the team is in the midst of its schedule, which opens Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
Current contract status
Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is entering the fourth year of his original four‑year contract. The team exercised a player option in April, extending his deal through the 2027 season and guaranteeing him $25.9 million for the upcoming year.
“We’ve had productive discussions, I would say,” Caserio said at the end of training camp. “The reality is we will either get it figured out before the season starts, and if we don’t get it figured out before the season starts, then there’s something we address in the offseason. So, you know, whenever it happens, it happens.”
Performance recap
In the 2025 regular season, Stroud threw for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions, missing three games because of a concussion. His playoff showing raised questions among some analysts after the AFC champion Patriots intercepted him four times in the first half of the divisional round and he recorded seven turnovers across two postseason games.
Despite the criticism, head coach DeMeco Ryans reaffirmed his confidence in Stroud, stating that the quarterback remains a central piece of the Texans’ future plans.
Comparisons and upcoming negotiations
The Texans recently secured a three‑year, $150 million extension for outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr., who was selected one spot after Stroud in the 2023 draft. As the league heads into a busy offseason, several high‑profile quarterbacks—including Lamar Jackson, Caleb Williams and Drake Maye—are also expected to enter contract talks.
Stroud, who turns 25 in October, has left the business side of his contract to his agent, David Mulugheta, and has not publicly commented on the negotiations since the start of training camp on July 29.
What’s next?
If a new agreement is not reached before the season opener, the Texans will revisit the matter in the offseason, according to Caserio. The team’s approach reflects a broader trend of NFL franchises choosing to focus on on‑field performance during the regular season and handling major contract decisions after the schedule concludes.
Fans can look forward to seeing Stroud lead the offense this fall while the front office works behind the scenes to secure a long‑term solution that aligns with the franchise’s competitive goals.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
