Stroud Says He Has Held His End, Leaves Contract Talks to Agent
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud expressed confidence in his own performance as extension talks loom, telling reporters at the team's organized team activities on Thursday that he has deferred entirely to his representation on the matter. "I let my agent handle that. If it's time to do it, then it is. My job is football," Stroud said, according to ESPN. "I think I've held my bargain up. Whatever happens, happens."
Stroud, selected second overall in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, has started every healthy game for Houston since his arrival. The Texans exercised his fifth-year option for the 2027 season in April, preserving their leverage while extension negotiations remain ongoing. In his rookie campaign, Stroud earned both the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and a Pro Bowl selection, throwing for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions across 15 regular-season games, with a 100.8 passer rating. Houston won the AFC South at 10-7 that year, ending a playoff absence dating to 2019, and defeated Cleveland in the wild-card round before losing to Baltimore in the divisional round.
His production has fluctuated since. In 2024, Stroud threw for 3,727 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, posting an 87.0 passer rating. Houston again won the division and beat the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round, only to fall to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round. Last season, across 14 regular-season games, he threw for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 92.9 passer rating. The Texans finished 12-5, claimed a third consecutive AFC South title and reached the divisional round for a third straight year - where they were eliminated for a third straight year, with Stroud throwing four interceptions against the New England Patriots. "I have learned to let failures and successes go quickly," he said. "Of course, the playoff struggle helps motivate me."
The market will set a significant benchmark for any deal. Trevor Lawrence and Jordan Love hold contracts with an average annual value of $55 million, placing them in a tie for second among NFL quarterbacks alongside Josh Allen and Joe Burrow, while Brock Purdy and Jared Goff are tied at $53 million annually. Based on comparable contracts signed by quarterbacks of similar draft pedigree, Stroud's extension is widely expected to fall within the top ten, if not the top five, in average annual value at the position.
```
