The Texans have picked up the fifth-year club option on QB C.J. Stroud, keeping him signed through the 2027 season, per beat writer Aaron Wilson. Stroud will now make $25.9 million fully guaranteed in 2027. Houston also picked up the fifth-year option on DE Will Anderson, who was selected immediately after Stroud in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The move was expected for both players, but Wilson reports Stroud is "not expected to receive a long-term deal at this time."
Stroud broke out as a rookie in 2023 and has led the Texans to three playoff appearances in three seasons.
Stroud’s play has slipped since his rookie season and bottomed out in the playoffs, where he combined for five INTs and five fumbles across two games.
He was outstanding in 2023, throwing for 4,108 yards with 23 TDs and just five INTs in 15 games, including an NFL-record 186 straight attempts without an INT.
He stayed healthy in Year 2, but his production declined across the board, and he was sacked 52 times.
In 2025, Stroud missed three games with his second career concussion. His QB rating improved to 92.0, but the fantasy results lagged. He posted just three top-12 weeks and finished outside the top 20 in six.
Extending Stroud for one year makes sense for a Texans team in the middle of a championship window behind the league’s top-ranked defense. The move locks in stability at QB through 2027 without tying up future cap flexibility.
It also gives Houston another season to evaluate Stroud before committing to a long-term deal that could make it harder to maintain the rest of the roster.
The addition of RB David Montgomery and an overhauled O-line have Houston’s offense trending up. There’s also optimism WR Tank Dell will be ready for OTAs after missing all of 2025 with a multi-ligament knee injury.
Houston also added WRs Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel on Day 2 of the 2025 Draft and extended TE Dalton Schultz this offseason.
The pieces are in place for Stroud to rebound toward his rookie form. Now he needs to capitalize and deliver more consistent production.
Stroud sits at QB21 in early best ball ADP and in our 2026 fantasy football rankings, making him a low-end QB2. There’s some optimism the improved run game and O-line will help in his second full season under OC Nick Caley.
He profiles as a matchup-based backup in 1-QB leagues with streaming upside. In 2-QB leagues, he’s a modest QB2 who could offer late-round value if the market overreacts to his 2025 struggles.
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