RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesThe window might be closing for the Houston Texans to get an extension done with Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud before the regular season starts, but entering training camp, there still is a light waiting to be called upon.
ESPN's Adam Schefter recently said during one of the latest episodes of the Adam Schefter Podcast that Stroud and the Texans remain in conversations for a new deal before the regular season begins. Houston wants to keep its franchise quarterback and the former No. 2 overall pick, but the two sides have to find common ground.
Per Schefter, the rough ending in the postseason has deferred the Texans from signing Stroud to a lucrative contract and it "wouldn't surprise him at all" if the two sides signed a new deal before Week 1 arrives.
"The big question this summer will be: if and when they can get a contract extension done for C.J. Stroud––who was great early on, who was good last year, had a terrible playoff game that everybody remembers," Schefter said on the podcast. "That's the lasting image," Schefter said. "So, when you hear extension, yeah, I think they want to keep him there in Houston and it won’t surprise me if they tie him up.”
When teams don't have the franchise quarterbacks locked up, speculation begins on what the next plan is. For Houston, a seven-interception postseason, including four against the New England Patriots, dampered all talks of a deal getting done before All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr.
Anderson, who became the highest-paid non-QB with his new three-year deal, received his extension early in the offseason. Talks around a Stroud extension began after the draft and carried into June, but the two sides were way off in terms of annual salary and guaranteed money on the dotted line.
Stroud improved in Year 3 after an underwhelming 2024 season, throwing for over 3,000 yards while only tossing eight interceptions. Still, he also only totaled 18 touchdowns and struggled in some of Houston's biggest games, resulting in a 12-win campaign and wild-card berth rather than a division title.
If Stroud can capitalize on what many around the league are calling a "make-or-break season," the ball would be in Houston's court to get a deal done quickly. Consistency in a prove-it year is going to raise Stroud's value to a level worthy of a massive payday. If he can be the reason why the Texans make a deep run into the postseason, perhaps with even a Super Bowl appearance, Houston would have to pay now to avoid losing the star of the franchise/
Of course, all of this is in theory. It needs to be accomplished on the field first.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: NFL insider believes Texans' door for a C.J. Stroud extension is 'open' entering training camp
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