C.J. Stroud and Texans Table Extension Talks Until After the Season
Both sides tried to finish a deal before Week 1 and agreed to wait, with a quarterback market that could push past $70 million a year in 2027 working in Stroud's favor.
The Houston Texans and quarterback C.J. Stroud have agreed to set aside contract-extension talks until after the 2026 season, ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported, after both sides made a push to complete a deal before the opener against Buffalo.
Where does his contract stand?
Stroud is in the final year of his four-year, $36.28 million rookie deal, and Houston has already exercised his fully guaranteed $25.9 million fifth-year option for 2027, so there is no urgency on the team's side. General manager Nick Caserio had said talks would be tabled once Week 1 arrived.
Why wait?
The market. Patrick Mahomes' $63 million average is the current ceiling, and a wave of young quarterbacks including Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels becomes extension-eligible next offseason, when a $70 million-a-year deal is considered possible. A Lamar Jackson extension in Baltimore would likely raise the bar again before Stroud's turn.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Sources: C.J. Stroud, Texans to table extension talks
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