Sources: Stroud, Texans to table extension talks amid looming QB market

The Houston Texans and quarterback C.J. Stroud made a run at completing a contract extension before the regular season begins, but both sides agreed they now prefer to wait until after this season to work out a long-term deal, league sources told ESPN and NFL Network.

Stroud will play it out in 2026 and bet on himself in the final year of his four-year, $36.28 million rookie contract. The Texans already picked up his $25.9 million fully guaranteed fifth-year option for 2027, as well.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio had previously said that once Week 1 of the regular season kicks off, talks will be tabled until next year.

While Stroud was more than open to a deal and wants to be in Houston long-term, the looming quarterback market for the 2027 season had an effect on his decision. The potential of a quarterback contract with a $70 million average annual value is not impossible next offseason.

The current ceiling is $63 million in new money thanks to the extension Patrick Mahomes signed this spring. With so many young stars extension-eligible for the first time following the season -- Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Bo Nix, Jayden Daniels -- the benchmark is set to rise even higher.

An extension for Lamar Jackson would no doubt make him the highest-paid quarterback whenever the Baltimore Ravens star signs, raising the quarterback market even further.

Essentially, if Stroud has the season he's capable of, he should benefit from waiting, no matter where his contract comes in. And if not, he still has the $25.9 million fully guaranteed fifth-year option on the books for 2027 to do it again.

After a historic rookie season in 2023 in which he threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions, Stroud has struggled in each of the last two seasons. In 2024, he had 3,727 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while being sacked 52 times, the second-most in the league that season.

In 2025, he finished the regular season with 3,041 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions while missing three games with a concussion.