All articles tagged with #cj stroud
Houston exercised the fifth-year options for QB C.J. Stroud ($25.9 million) and DE Will Anderson Jr. ($21.5 million), guaranteeing both on the roster through 2027. Stroud is extension-eligible after this season, and Houston plans to work toward a long-term deal either this year or next, as Anderson emerged as a breakout star and the duo remains the core of a rising Texans team.
The Houston Texans exercised the 2027 fifth-year options on quarterback C.J. Stroud and edge rusher Will Anderson, setting Stroud's 2027 salary at $25.904 million and Anderson's at $21.512 million, with both players eligible for extensions beyond 2027.
David Montgomery, traded from Detroit to the Houston Texans, insists he is more than a traditional power back and plans to showcase a versatile game—burst, hands, and durability—to shoulder a heavy workload alongside QB C.J. Stroud. The veteran back claims he's in his prime and has the off-season work to handle a bigload, while helping Houston revive its ground game after last season’s decline and potentially fuel a deeper playoff push.
Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine highlighted four themes: C.J. Stroud’s stock has declined amid persistent trade rumors and public Texans’ backing, with teams weighing a potential fifth-year option; Maxx Crosby’s trade value could exceed past mega-deals as teams circle the Raiders; two offensive-minded head coaches—Sean Payton and Dave Canales—will relinquish playcalling in 2026 to coordinators, signaling a possible shift toward a CEO-style leadership; and the draft landscape looks more “best available” and value-driven, with emphasis on non-premium positions and fewer blue-chip quarterbacks at the top.
At the NFL Combine, teams outlined plans: Steelers hope Aaron Rodgers returns but are prepared to roll with Mason Rudolph or Malik Willis if not; Texans will not trade C.J. Stroud and will address his fifth-year option and future; Chargers won’t franchise-tag Odafe Oweh despite ample cap space; Ravens are negotiating a contract extension with Lamar Jackson while weighing the future of center Tyler Linderbaum; Falcons intend to move on from Kirk Cousins, avoid commenting on James Pearce Jr., and plan to franchise-tag Kyle Pitts to keep him long-term.
Texans GM Nick Caserio shut down trade rumors about QB C.J. Stroud at the Scouting Combine, stating he’ll be Houston’s starter after a playoff loss in which Stroud threw four interceptions; Stroud is eligible for a 2026 extension, and ESPN’s Dan Graziano says a long-term deal is likely but could hinge on playoff performance.
Texans GM Nick Caserio shut down trade rumors about quarterback C.J. Stroud at the NFL Scouting Combine, calling the chatter moronic and reaffirming Stroud as the Texans’ quarterback through 2026, with long-term deals or extensions to be addressed later.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio dismissed talk of trading quarterback C.J. Stroud as “moronic” and insisted Stroud isn’t going anywhere, addressing the chatter at the Scouting Combine. The comments come after Stroud’s playoff performance (four interceptions in the loss to the Patriots) and as Houston weighs extension talks and the 2027 contract option.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans urged QB C.J. Stroud to flush Sunday’s four-interception playoff loss to the Patriots and return to fundamentals this offseason, telling him to block out negative talk and focus on getting better. Ryans said he wouldn’t bench Stroud and noted the team will likely pick up Stroud’s fifth-year option, though extension talks weren’t discussed.
C.J. Stroud threw four interceptions in the first half as the Texans were defeated 28-16 by the Patriots, ending Houston's playoff run; a late Texans TD drive masked by a costly turnover spree, while the defense showed strength but couldn't overcome the QB's early errors.
Houston’s postseason run ends in the divisional round after C.J. Stroud throws four first-half interceptions, leaving the offense in a rut in a loss to the Patriots; J.J. Watt called the performance 'tough' and credited Patriots coach Mike Vrabel with turning the franchise around.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud became the first player to accumulate 5+ interceptions and 5+ fumbles in a single postseason, a six-quarter stretch that included a wild-card win over the Steelers and a rough divisional-round showing against the Patriots; Houston still prevailed in the wild-card game and remains in the hunt for the AFC title versus the Broncos.
New England overcame Houston’s stout defense, snowy conditions, and C.J. Stroud’s turnover-filled night to beat the Texans and advance to the AFC Championship, powered by Drake Maye’s efficient play, key turnovers for Houston, and a Marcus Jones pick-six that helped seal the win.
New England leads 21-10 at halftime as the Patriots’ defense piles up turnovers, forcing four interceptions on Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (including a Marcus Jones pick-six). Stroud is 10-for-26 for 124 yards with a TD and four INTs. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has two TD passes and 117 passing yards on 10-for-19, while Texans’ offense has been limited to nine first downs and 132 total yards. Texans may face QB changes early in the second half as New England extends its edge.
The Texans-Patriots Divisional Round pits Drake Maye against Houston’s top-ranked defense while C.J. Stroud looks to rebound after a turnover-heavy Wild Card game. Injury updates—Nico Collins out for Houston and Christian Gonzalez potentially limited for New England—could tilt head-to-head matchups as Houston leans on its run game and New England’s improved pass rush to push toward the AFC Championship.