Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and the team have decided to delay negotiations for a long-term contract extension until after the 2026 NFL season. Stroud entered the league as the second overall pick in the 2023 draft and became eligible for a contract extension after the 2025 season. The Texans and Stroud’s representatives had some productive conversations earlier this spring, but no agreement was reached. General manager Nick Caserio said in July that the sides had made progress, but negotiations would likely be pushed to next offseason if a deal couldn’t be finalized before the season started.
Stroud’s camp and the team are now planning to wait until after the 2026 season to continue working on a new contract, according to ESPN. The current ceiling for a quarterback extension in the NFL is $63 million in new money due to the deal Patrick Mahomes signed this spring. This means that if Stroud performs well in the upcoming season, he could benefit from waiting and possibly receive a larger contract than originally expected. ESPN reported that an average annual value of $70 million is not considered impossible for the quarterback market next offseason.
Stroud had a standout rookie season in 2023, throwing for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. However, his performance declined over the next two seasons, finishing with 3,041 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 2025, according to a report from Yahoo Sports. He also missed several games during that season due to a concussion. Despite the struggles, Stroud helped lead the Texans to a 12-5 record and a third straight playoff appearance. The team has yet to advance past the divisional round under his leadership, though they have remained competitive in recent years. NFL statistics confirm that Stroud played 14 games in 2025 after appearing in all 17 games in 2024.
Stroud has shown flashes of top-tier play during his career but has also faced criticism for inconsistent performances. Still, the Texans appear committed to him as their franchise quarterback moving forward. Texans owner Cal McNair said in May that the organization was “fully committed” to Stroud. Stroud is choosing to take a chance on his next season, hoping it will justify a long-term deal worth millions more than what he might have received otherwise.
Whether he can lead the team past the divisional round and into the AFC title game remains uncertain. Talks between Stroud’s representatives and the Texans have now been tabled until after the 2026 season. The Sporting News reported that Spotrac projected Stroud’s market value at $51.6 million per year. If he has a strong performance in 2026, his value could rise even further and potentially bring him closer to a $60 million annual salary.
Stroud has some financial protection even without a new deal. He is playing the final season of his four-year $36.28 million rookie contract. Houston has already exercised his fully guaranteed fifth-year option for 2027 worth about $25.9 million.
With millions of dollars at stake for both sides, the decision to delay negotiations is seen as a strategic move by both parties. The Texans are reportedly open to investing heavily in Stroud’s future, but they want to see how he performs before committing to a long-term contract.
Stroud’s performance in the upcoming season will be crucial in determining whether he gets the extension he is seeking.