The Houston Texans and quarterback C.J. Stroud remain separated by about $10 million in annual contract talks, according to a report from fansided.com. Stroud is seeking $60 million, while Houston is offering $50 million. He remains under contract through the 2027 season after the Texans exercised his fifth-year option.
Houston has said it would wait until next offseason to pursue an extension if the sides do not agree before Week 1. The report says the Texans are scheduled to play their first game at 1 p.m. Sunday, while noting Dak Prescott reached an agreement with the Dallas Cowboys shortly before their 2024 opener.
Stroud threw for 4,105 yards with 23 touchdowns and five interceptions as a rookie. He exceeded 3,000 passing yards in each of the next two seasons, but had no more than 20 touchdown passes in either year and threw more interceptions than he did in his first season.
The report also compares the talks with Baker Mayfield’s three-year, $55 million-per-year agreement with Tampa Bay while he was entering the final year of his contract. Stroud has another season remaining and could receive a franchise tag afterward. Houston’s losses to Pittsburgh and New England last season, Tank Dell’s injury history, offensive-line problems and the running game are also cited.
The report says Stroud’s 2026 season could affect whether the Texans view him as worth $60 million annually.
