C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans remain apart on a contract extension, with Stroud seeking $60 million and the team currently offering $50 million, according to a report from fansided.com. The quarterback is under contract through the 2027 season after Houston exercised his fifth-year option.
Stroud’s rookie campaign included 4,105 passing yards, 23 touchdown passes and five interceptions. Over the following two seasons, he surpassed 3,000 passing yards each year but did not exceed 20 touchdown passes in either season, while throwing more interceptions than he did as a rookie.
Houston has said an extension would be pushed to the next offseason if an agreement is not reached before Week 1. The report notes that the Texans’ first game is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, although it also cites Dak Prescott’s agreement with the Dallas Cowboys shortly before their 2024 season opener as an example of a late deal remaining possible.
The report also compares Stroud’s situation with Baker Mayfield’s negotiations with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mayfield was entering the final year of his contract and later agreed with Tampa Bay on a three-year deal worth $55 million per year, while Stroud still has another season remaining and could potentially receive a franchise tag afterward.
Stroud’s recent postseason performance is presented as another factor in the negotiations, with the report pointing to Houston’s losses to Pittsburgh and New England last season. It also identifies Tank Dell’s injury history, problems on the offensive line and the Texans’ running game as issues affecting the offense.
