The 2026 offseason is already off to a noteworthy start for C.J. Stroud, despite the Houston Texans being resigned to be spectators once again for the Super Bowl.
Stroud is coming off a polarizing campaign.
He improved his touchdown and interception rates, while also setting new career-bests in completion percentage and sack rate. However, Stroud’s passing yards and touchdowns were down, and he missed a career-high three games due to a concussion, the second of his career.
Texans’ C.J. Stroud Makes Telling Decision
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans reacts after losing to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
Stroud, 24, completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions in 14 starts for the Texans this past season. He led them to a 9-5 record, stretching their three-game win streak into a nine-game run before the postseason.
The Texans beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card Round, but fell in the Divisional Playoffs against the New England Patriots. Stroud struggled with turnovers in both games.
He vowed to come back better, and his first step was taking a step back.
“#Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was invited to #ProBowlGames per a league source and declined invitation as he prepares for next season,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported in a post on X on February 2.
Stroud was a Pro Bowler and the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023, after the Texans selected him No. 2 overall.
However, he has logged back-to-back seasons with steps backward.
His postseason performance stands out as an extreme example of regression, but it follows his pattern of statistical regression year-over-year. He previously had 3 postseason turnovers: one interception and two fumbles.
Stroud ended the 2025-26 playoffs with 5 interceptions and 5 fumbles across the Texans’ two contests.
It all sets the stage for an intriguing discussion this offseason.
C.J. Stroud Gets Strong Comments From Texans GM Nick Caserio
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans warms up before facing the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
Stroud has received nothing but support from the Texans publicly, with Texans general manager Nick Caserio echoing head coach DeMeco Ryans’ faith in Stroud.
“We believe in our players. And you want to instill confidence in them, understanding there’s going to be some up and downs that you’re going to have to endure. Every player goes through that. C.J. went through that during the course of the season, and that game [AFC Divisional Playoffs] was a microcosm of, hey, some of the things early in the year. But that’s gonna happen,” Caserio said in SiriusXM NFL Radio’s “Movin’ The Chains” shared in January.
“How do you bounce back? How do you handle those things? And, hopefully, you learn from them. And then, you get through the offseason. What are some things that you can correct? So, that’s where the focus is going to be. But he’s played a lot of good football for us for three years now, and excited for where we are heading into Year 4.”
Stroud is entering the final season of his rookie contract, and the Texans have several decisions to make. First, the Texans have until May to decide on Stroud’s fifth-year option. They can also forgo that in favor of working out a long-term deal with their franchise passer.
Texans Have Options
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans on the field before a game against the Buffalo Bills.
The Texans can also choose to slow-play their decision on Stroud. Letting Stroud get to his fifth-year option, let alone using the franchise tag up to three times, is costly.
Extending him at this juncture would be a bet that he can regain his rookie-season form.
However, souring the QB’s relationship with the front office is an additional potential risk in that scenario. The Texans have so far only expressed support for Stroud. That and their track record could mean the Texans try to extend Stroud on a bargain deal while they still can.
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