Texans GM sets Week 1 deadline for Stroud talks

• 

  DJ Bien-AimeSep 1, 2026, 11:31 AM ET

  Close

  DJ Bien-Aime covers the Houston Texans for ESPN. He joined ESPN in July of 2022 after covering the New York Jets for the New York Daily News. He's a former athlete who finished his college career at Louisville. You can catch DJ on ESPN Radio on his show "Talkin' Texans."

HOUSTON -- Texans general manager Nick Caserio set a Week 1 deadline for potentially agreeing to a contract extension with quarterback C.J. Stroud this year.

"If we don't get it figured out before the season starts, then it'll be something we address in the offseason," Caserio said Tuesday.

Throughout the offseason, the Texans and Stroud's camp have had negotiations, but nothing has been imminent towards an agreement, according to league sources. To start camp on July 29th, Caserio said there was a "possibility" the team could reach a contract extension. But with the regular season now less than two weeks away, the chance of reaching a deal is gradually shrinking.

The Texans picked up Stroud's fifth-year option for 2027 in April, so they have him under contract for at least two more seasons, which provides flexibility to revisit in the offseason.

Stroud isn't naive to the business aspect, but when he was asked about the contract situation to begin training camp he said he's letting his agent, David Mulugheta, handle it.

"You have to keep the main thing the main thing," Stroud said on July 29. "You have to just focus on one day at a time, one play and the football is what's gotten me to even have the conversation, to be able to get a second contract. I have to focus on football."

After being selected No. 2 overall in 2023, Stroud has compiled 28 regular-season wins (seventh most among NFL QBs during that span), a 54.9 QBR (20th), 10,876 passing yards (ninth), 62 touchdowns passing (tied for 14th) and 25 interceptions (12th fewest among quarterbacks with at least 30 starts). He has led the Texans to two AFC South divisional titles and the playoffs in each of his three seasons at the helm.

After a historic rookie season in 2023 in which he threw for 4,108 yards in 15 games with 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions, Stroud's stats have regressed over each of the last two seasons. In 2024, he had 3,727 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 games while being sacked 52 times, the second most in the league during the 2024 campaign.

In 2025, he finished the regular season with 3,041 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions while missing three games with a concussion.

Stroud's recent playoff performance has made negotiations complex. He struggling with ball security (seven total turnovers) in two playoff games, including four first-half interceptions in Houston's divisional round loss to the New England Patriots.

Caserio also revealed right tackle Braden Smith will go on injured reserve designated to return after suffering a foot injury in joint practices against the Carolina Panthers last week. Smith signed a two-year, $25 million contract as an unrestricted free agent earlier this offseason and was battling with Trent Brown for the starting right tackle spot.