Houston Texans owner Cal McNair backed C.J. Stroud when asked about signing his franchise quarterback to a potential extension.
"We'll leave that up with (general manager) Nick (Caserio), and those communications are behind the scenes," McNair said Monday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. "But yeah, we're fully committed to C.J. I think you saw, we exercised his fifth-year option. So, we'll see how it all works out."
Stroud is now under contract through the 2027 season after being drafted second overall in 2023. He'll carry a cap hit of $11.5 million in 2026, with the fifth-year option increasing it to $25.9 million in 2027, according to Spotrac.
The 24-year-old had an incredible rookie campaign, leading the Texans to a 10-7 record and the divisional round of the AFC Playoffs. He also threw for over 4,000 yards during the regular season and won Offensive Rookie of the Year.
However, Stroud has struggled to recapture that magic over the past two seasons. He has thrown 39 touchdowns to 20 interceptions in his last 31 games and ranks 23rd among 33 qualifying quarterbacks in passer rating since the start of the 2024 campaign, according to TruMedia.
Caserio, entering his sixth season as Houston's general manager, said in mid-April that picking up Stroud's fifth-year clause was a "no-brainer."
"I don't really think that affects his future. He's our quarterback," Caserio said, according to NFL Network's Kevin Patra. "We're excited about his offseason. I think he's had a good approach, had a good attitude here. I think he's put a lot of work in from, I'd say, March and April. I'm so excited to have him around here in the spring, and I'm excited to keep moving forward."
The Texans have invested resources this offseason in upgrading the offense around Stroud for 2026. They acquired veteran running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions in March and traded up in the draft to select guard Keylan Rutledge, who's expected to start Week 1.
