Texans QB C.J. Stroud on Potential Extension: 'I've Held My Bargain Up'

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is extension-eligible this offseason. Despite a stellar rookie year that earned him Offensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl nod, his performance has fluctuated over three seasons.

"I let my agent handle that," Stroud said at the Texans' OTAs. "My job is football. I think I've held my bargain up."

In 2023, Stroud threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just five interceptions, leading Houston to the playoffs for the first time since 2019. The Texans won the AFC South and a wild-card game before losing in the divisional round.

They repeated that pattern in 2024 and 2025: another division title, another wild-card win, and another divisional-round exit. Last season, Stroud passed for 3,041 yards and 19 touchdowns but threw eight interceptions as the Texans went 12-5.

Despite the playoff struggles, Stroud remains motivated. "I have learned to let failures and successes go quickly," he said.

With quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence and Jordan Love earning $55 million annually, Stroud is poised to become one of the highest-paid players in the league. The Texans selected him with the No. 2 pick in 2023 and exercised his fifth-year option for 2027.