The Houston Texans and quarterback C.J. Stroud remain about $10 million apart in extension talks, according to a report from fansided.com. Stroud is seeking $60 million, while Houston has offered $50 million. He remains under contract through the 2027 season after the Texans exercised his fifth-year option.
Houston has indicated that negotiations would move to next offseason if no deal is completed before Week 1. The Texans’ first game is set for 1 p.m. Sunday, though the report cited Dak Prescott reaching an agreement with the Dallas Cowboys shortly before their 2024 opener as evidence that a late agreement remains possible.
Stroud passed for 4,105 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions as a rookie. He topped 3,000 yards in each of the next two seasons but stayed below 20 touchdown passes both years and threw more interceptions than he did in his first season. The report also compared his talks with Baker Mayfield’s three-year, $55 million-per-year agreement with Tampa Bay.
Mayfield was entering the final season of his contract, while Stroud has another year left and could later receive a franchise tag. Houston’s defeats against Pittsburgh and New England last season, Tank Dell’s injury history, offensive-line problems and the running game are also cited as factors. Stroud’s 2026 season could affect whether the Texans consider a $60 million annual deal justified.
