Eventually, Houston Texans Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud will be paid.
The only questions now are when, how much and with whom.
Stroud, who is entering his fourth season with the Texans and is two years removed from winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, said following the second day of voluntary OTAs that he feels as if he’s done his part to earn an extension, but that his focus is set on the season and not the new contract.
“I let my agent handle that. If it’s time to do it, then it is,” Stroud said on Thursday. “My job is football. That’s what I’m focused on, just getting better. I think I’ve held my bargain up. Whatever happens, happens.”
#Texans QB C.J. Stroud doesn’t seem too worried about hammering out a new extension:
🗣️”I let my agent handle it. If it’s time to do it, then it is.”
“My job is football. So, that’s what I’m focused on, just getting better. And I think I’ve held my bargain up on that end.” pic.twitter.com/eq3kUNGEfy
— Houston Texans On SI (@TexansOnSI) May 28, 2026
The Texans already extended fellow 2023 draft pick and All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. earlier this offseason, making him the highest-paid non-QB in the league on a three-year deal worth $150 million. Stroud, who did have his fifth-year option picked up after an underwhelming postseason, still has two more years left on his rookie contract before hitting free agency.
#Texans passing connection: C.J. Stroud to Jaylin Noel @KPRC2pic.twitter.com/HzmTmbwz7r
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 28, 2026
Since being drafted No. 2 overall, Stroud has impressed as the face of the offense. He helped Houston win 28 regular-season wins while throwing for 10,876 passing yards, 62 touchdown passes and 25 interceptions. Stroud has led the Texans to three playoff appearances and three playoff victories, though none have come past the wild-card round.
This offseason was built around Stroud improving his body and mind. He added muscle, cut his hair and spent ample time working on the little details of his craft to better the chances of being viewed as the long-term quarterbacks.
Temmates have taken notice of the improvements and physique as he’s entering a critical year for his career.
“These last two days, I think they’ve done a good job with the process in terms of handling, coming out of the huddle, making sure that everybody’s where they need to be, handling motions the right way, and then seeing stuff post-snap and making the right passes,” defensive back Jalen Pitre said.
Stroud will continue to look for a chance to make the lasting impression of his career be based on his future role rather than his past mistakes, especially his postseason run that resulted in a four interception afternoon against the New England Patriots.
“I really learned in my life that you got to learn to let failures go, let successes go just as quick as you would do a win,” Stroud said. “You got to learn from it and move on, so that’s what I did.”
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans QB C.J. Stroud believes he’s deserving of new deal, but focused on 2026 season
