NFL
Exclusive: NFL Execs Warn Texans Against a Long-Term CJ Stroud Extension
After an impressive rookie season, Texans QB CJ Stroud's performance has significantly declined. Executives across the NFL are cautious about offering him a mega-deal due to his poor decision-making and increased turnovers. Many believe he needs to prove himself again before receiving a big contract. The Texans' struggles to build a strong offense also contribute to concerns about Stroud's future with the team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Houston Texans by Alex Slitz | Getty Images
Texans former first-round pick CJ Stroud seemed like a lock for a mega-deal after an outstanding rookie season, but now with three years of service time and eligible for a new deal, execs around the NFL expect Houston to be very careful about wading into a huge extension.
Stroud’s performance has dropped off majorly, to such a degree that one long-time NFL executive involved in drafting multiple successful top quarterbacks said he had a difficult time find a comp for the Texans quarterback’s career arc to this time.
There was uniformity in how rival execs said they would approach this critical offseason with Stroud, with all seeing major perils with rewarding him with a long-term deal after dropping in every key metric in the 2024 and 2025 season.
What’s The Concern?
Stroud’s decision-making was the biggest issue the execs had with him. His rate of turnover-worthy throws has soared since a rookie season in which his poise, accuracy and presence in the pocket all wowed NFL brass. Things hit a nadir in the playoffs this year, and while injuries to key teammates played a role, Stroud’s incredibly poor play likely hampered his ability to cash in.
“No f---cking way am I paying him this offseason,” one general manager said.
“That’s not even an option. I need to see a full season where he looks like the guy he was his rookie year before we even have those conversations. The verdict is out.”
Another GM said: “If they bench him and put in (back-up) Davis Mills at halftime (of the AFC Divisional Playoff at New England), they win that game. Stroud was terrible man. If that was my starting quarterback I wouldn’t be able to get that out of my mind.”
A longtime personnel executive pointed to Miami’s mistake extending Tua Tagovailoa and Arizona doing the same with Kyler Murray as a cautionary tale. “I think (Texans GM) Nick (Caserio) is too smart to go down that road and pay this kid $50M.”
Certainly, the Texans have been at fault for systemic offensive line issues and making poor decisions with offensive coordinator hires, with Stroud not the only guilty party with regards to their inability to construct a consistently potent offense. But Stroud’s payoff failures are likely to loom large in the months to come.
La Canfora has covered over 20 Super Bowls and League Meetings and NFL drafts, building a wide network of sources throughout all aspects of the game. He was an award winning print journalist as well, working at The Detroit Free Press and The Baltimore Sun prior to his first stint at The Washington Post. He has covered sporting events around the world, including two Winter Olympics and all of the 2006 World Cup. He attended his first NFL game in 1978, and would soon kindle what has become a lifelong love and appreciation of the sport. La Canfora is also a professional handicapper, specializing in the NFL, creating a daily sports wagering game show - "Wanna Bet?" He also hosts nationally broadcast NFL radio shows in the US, as well as a daily sports radio show in his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.