Two players, one selected after the other. And yet, there could be a wide disparity in how the Houston Texans handle those two players, quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson Jr., whom the Texans selected Nos. 2 and 3 overall, respectively, in the 2023 draft.
A former agent believes the decision is clear-cut with Anderson: extend him as soon as possible, which is this offseason for both players.
Stroud’s case is a little more uncertain, though, according to the now-analyst.
Texans Told to ‘Pump Brakes’ on C.J. Stroud
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans looks on after losing to the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Playoffs.
Stroud had 3,041 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions on 64.5% completion, playing in 14 games. He missed three contests and part of another due to a concussion, the second confirmed head injury of his NFL career.
Stroud’s passing yards were down on a per-game basis, but his touchdown and interception rates all trended in the right direction. His completion percentage set a new career high.
However, CBS Sports’ Joel Corry cautioned the Texans about overpaying Stroud.
Corry argued that the Texans should be “pumping the brakes on Stroud,” noting the potentially “different story” than Anderson and how the QB “has regressed since having one of the greatest debut seasons for a quarterback” as a rookie.
Stroud was a Pro Bowler and the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023. He passed for 4,108 yards, 23 TDs, and 5 INTs on 63.9% completion that season.
He has averaged 3,384-19-10 line on 63.8% completion in the two seasons since.
“Kyler Murray should serve as a cautionary tale for doing a lucrative extension with a first-round quarterback at the earliest possible instance,” Corry wrote on January 21. “Murray was effectively benched for Jacoby Brissett, a journeyman backup quarterback, prior to going on injured reserve in Week 10.”
Corry added that “Arizona’s offense operated more efficiently with Brissett at the helm, a dynamic the Texans could explore with Stroud–whose agent, David Mughuleta, represents Deshaun Watson and other highly paid QBs–and 2021 third-round draft pick, Davis Mills.
“Sometimes the best deals are the ones you don’t make,” Corry wrote, noting that waiting “could be a risk worth the Texans taking” to let Stroud prove himself even amid rising QB contracts.
C.J. Stroud Gets Message Loud & Clear
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans takes the field before a game against the New England Patriots.
Corry cited “mitigating factors. The Texans changed their offensive line, and they navigated the season-long absence of Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon due to a mysterious foot issue.
However, “none of that excuses Stroud” from his rough postseason showing. Stroud completed 51.9% of his throws, tallying 462 yards, but throwing 2 TDs to 5 picks and fumbling the ball 5 times. Stroud lost 2 of those fumbles in that game.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio supported Stroud during his season-ending presser.
However but also repeatedly mentioned the team’s 5 turnovers in their AFC Divisional Round loss to the New England Patriots. Stroud threw 4 interceptions in that contest.
Caserio said that, especially from the quarterback posit kind of lack of ball security cannot happen, and Stroud has gotten the message. He also vowed to improve and asserted his continued faith in himself.
“I know this ain’t the end of C.J. Stroud,” the Texans QB told reporters on January 19.
With his fifth-year option and up to three years of franchise tags, the Texans have options regarding Stroud.
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