Heading into his fourth NFL season and the final year of his rookie contract, C.J. Stroud has become a polarizing figure, embraced internally by the Houston Texans, but also facing significant questions after his latest postseason showing.
The impetus for those questions (i.e., his play) would seem to have at least led to this moment of uncertainty about Stroud’s future with the Texans.
However, as reports of the Texans’ plans surface, their messaging remains consistent.
DeMeco Ryans Gets Honest About C.J. Stroud
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans reacts after a loss against the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Playoffs.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans spoke with reporters on Tuesday during the annual meeting in Arizona, and he relayed his message to Stroud, who Houston drafted second overall in 2023. That was Ryans’ first year at the helm in Houston.
Ryans said that he wanted to “reaffirm that support” for Stroud, who faced criticism for a turnover-filled postseason.
The Texans have been unwavering in their support for Stroud, though.
“I see a guy who’s dialed into the offseason,” Ryans said, per KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson on March 31. “He’s in full grind [mode] right now. So, I’m excited to see what comes from the work that he’s putting in. It’s only going to be better. The mindset is right. Physically, he’s in a really good space, mentally in a really good space. So I’m excited to see him get back to work.”
The Texans have made several changes that should benefit Stroud, reworking their offensive line and acquiring running back David Montgomery in a trade with the Detroit Lions. They also changed quarterback coaches from Jerrod Johnson to Jerry Schuplinski.
Per The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander, Ryans called Johnson a “good coach.”
“[Johnson] didn’t do anything wrong,” Alexander posted on X on March 31. “But [Ryans] thought the QB room needed a change of scenery to help aid in the development of C.J. Stroud.”
The Texans have won double-digit games and made the postseason in each of Stroud’s three campaigns. But his individual play has not returned to the levels of his historic rookie season, leading to outside speculation about his future.
The Texans have not done themselves or Stroud any favors in that regard.
C.J. Stroud Gets Critical Update on Texans’ Plans
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans warms up before a game against the Carolina Panthers.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio shot down trade speculation earlier this offseason, declaring Stroud is in place for the 2026 season. Caserio remained less committal beyond that, but the Texans have various methods to retain Stroud without a long-term deal.
For veteran players, that often means one of the tags, which teams can use up to three times.
For former first-round picks like Stroud, that means the use of their fifth-year option, which functions much like a tag in that it provides more time to work out a long-term deal.
#Texans DeMeco Ryans reiterated his long-standing policy not discussing contracts on Will Anderson Jr., C.J. Stroud fifth-year options,” Wilson reported in another post. “Team expected to use fifth-year option for Stroud, have discussed potential blockbuster contract extension for Anderson, per league sources.”
Neither item is particularly surprising. Both players were Pro Bowlers and AP Rookies of the Year on their respective sides of the ball. But Anderson is coming off his second Pro Bowl and first First Team All-Pro season, while Stroud’s up-and-down season included a concussion.
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