C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans have not reached an agreement on a contract extension, with about $10 million separating the quarterback’s request from the team’s reported offer. Stroud is seeking $60 million, while Houston is offering $50 million. He remains under contract through the 2027 season after the Texans exercised his fifth-year option.
Houston has said it would wait until next offseason to pursue an extension if no deal is completed before Week 1. The Texans are scheduled to open their season at 1 p.m. Sunday, though the report cites Dak Prescott’s agreement with the Dallas Cowboys shortly before their 2024 opener as evidence that a late agreement remains possible.
Stroud threw for 4,105 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions as a rookie. He passed for more than 3,000 yards in each of the next two seasons, but did not reach 20 touchdown passes in either campaign and had more interceptions than in his rookie year.
The report also points to Houston’s postseason losses to Pittsburgh and New England last season, Tank Dell’s injury history, offensive-line problems and the running game. Stroud’s 2026 season could help determine whether the Texans consider him worth a $60 million annual contract. The report compares the negotiations with Baker Mayfield’s three-year, $55 million-per-year agreement with Tampa Bay.
