This offseason has already added intrigue for C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans, coming off a tumultuous 2025 campaign.
Stroud has vowed to come back better next season after calls for his benching. Some of his struggles were due to learning a new offense under first-year play-caller Nick Caley, while Stroud also missed three games due to a concussion.
Injuries around him were also factors, and one returning player spoke candidly about his QB.
C.J. Stroud Gets Clear Endorsement From Texans’ Teammate
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans warms up before a game against the Arizona Cardinals .
Stroud did not shy away from his postseason struggles, which saw him post 462 passing yards and 2 touchdowns, but also 5 interceptions and 5 fumbles, losing possession on the latter for the Texans twice.
Stroud and the Texans missed draft mate, friend, and wide receiver Tank Dell , who missed the season due to a devastating knee injury suffered during the 2024 campaign.
Dell declared himself “back” on Wednesday and praised Stroud and their outlook together.
“People could say what they want about 7 [Stroud’s jersey number]. They sitting on the couch, and just typing on the computer, or typing on their phones. Everybody knows who 7 is, especially in the facility. We know who he is,” Dell told reporters on January 28.
“When I get when we get back out there with him, it’s gonna be special. So we could let them say what they want about him.”
Dell has been a legitimate deep threat for the Texans.
The Texans struggled to generate separation for Stroud this season. Whether or not he can return with the same efficacy remains to be seen. Dell also broke his left leg during his rookie season in 2023.
Stroud threw for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions during an injury-shortened regular season.
Stroud’s touchdown and interception rates were both the second-best marks of his career.
C.J. Stroud’s Situation Looms Large
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans warms up before facing the Los Angeles Chargers .
The Texans will ultimately need to decide on whether or not they want to sign Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 draft, to a multi-year extension. That is not as clear-cut a concept as it once seemed to be.
“C.J. Stroud has now faced two straight ‘sophomore slump’ seasons for Houston,” Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti wrote on January 19. “Will the front office continue on full steam ahead with Stroud as the face of the offense, or will there be some consideration to adding a little competition to the QB room this offseason?”
Ginnitti also noted that Stroud’s struggles have left “uneasiness” for the Texans.
The Texans have until May 1 to decide on Stroud’s fifth-year option, which is worth $41 million, but makes “matters worse,” given his recent body of work.
“While a rough postseason performance leaves a bad taste in our mouths, Stroud has still performed well enough overall to be secured at 2 years, $46M through 2027,” Ginnitti wrote of his expectation that the Texans would indeed pick up the QB’s option.
Texans Have Work to Do
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans adjusts a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers .
Ginnitti noted the Texans can free up more than $39 million in cap space. That would require converting salaries into bonuses for defensive backs Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre and wide receiver Nico Collins .
The Texans could clear another $14.5 million by cutting the likes of Joe Mixon , Mario Edwards , and even Dell.
Their bottom lines will be both helping Stroud and maintaining flexibility moving forward.
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