Largely out of nowhere, it was reported on Thursday that the Houston Texans “have had discussions with” quarterback C.J. Stroud about a potential contract extension.
It was previously thought that the Texans wouldn’t do anything regarding Stroud’s deal after they picked up the fifth-year option for 2027 attached to his contract this spring. During Friday’s edition of the ESPN “Get Up” program, former NFL general manager and current analyst Mike Tannenbaum suggested that both the Texans and Stroud should be just fine with waiting before they possibly put pen to paper on a deal.
Should C.J. Stroud bet on himself through the 2026 season?
“If I’m C.J. Stroud,” Tannenbaum explained, “if that number doesn’t begin with a six, meaning $60M or more, why should I take less than all these other young, emerging quarterbacks? …His body of work probably doesn’t justify it yet. If I’m him, I’m probably going to bet on myself this year.”
Tannenbaum was referencing how teams around the league would likely pass on giving Stroud a deal that would include an average salary of $60M per season after the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year regressed over the past two seasons. Most recently, Stroud threw five interceptions and lost two of five fumbles over his last two playoff appearances this past January.
It’s unclear what Stroud’s camp has asked for during negotiations, and it’s also unknown how much the Texans would be willing to pay him. Presumably, Houston wants to add years to Stroud’s deal now because he would become only more expensive if he stays healthy and produces a stellar 2026 season.
Then again, the Texans also know they could eventually retain Stroud’s rights via the franchise tag if necessary.
Why the Texans may want to think twice about paying C.J. Stroud
Meanwhile, Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated is among those who have pointed out that the Texans feature a championship-caliber defense. Tannenbaum noted that Houston may not have to spend money on an advertised top-tier quarterback to win a Super Bowl at some point over the next few years.
“It’s a very unique situation because rarely do you see both sides potentially benefiting (from not signing an extension),” Tannenbaum said. “So if you’re in Houston…we’re talking about a historically great defense. They have loaded up at all three levels, unquestionably a top-two or (top-three) defense. And you’re saying, ‘OK, can we put (backup) Davis Mills in there? Can we put a B, B-minus quarterback in there and pay them $20M, $30M, $35M a year and win and have a representative chance to go to the Super Bowl?”
That’s a question Texans general manager Nick Caserio and team ownership must answer before the club opens the regular season with a home game against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 13.
