ESPN’s @Djbienaime on CJ Stroud still not getting paid:
“If they don’t pay him this offseason…you can’t say it’s no big deal.”
Getty
C.J. Stroud has made a strong impression on the Houston Texans this offseason.
As more time passes, it has increasingly seemed as though C.J. Stroud will have to play out the string in 2026 before the Houston Texans will address his contract.
The decision already stands out amid the Texans’ history of being proactive in those situations, including securing his 2023 draft mate Will Anderson Jr. on a three-year, $150 million extension this offseason.
According to Stroud’s teammates, the Texans might end up paying a price for delaying a deal.
GettyC.J. Stroud could be playing for his future with the Houston Texans in 2026.
Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson, a sixth-round pick in that pivotal 2023 draft class, is the latest teammate to speak on Stroud.
Hutchinson spoke about the consistency and “unwavering confidence” Stroud has shown, particularly during his historic rookie season, which has become the standard by which he is held.
Hutchinson said Stroud “just has to be him” to get back to that level.
“He has all the tools and the talent to be, in my opinion, arguably one of the best quarterbacks to come through and play in the NFL,” Hutchinson said on the “Caps Off Podcast” on May 15.
“But he just has to be him. And I feel like I feel like 7’s back, just from what I’ve seen. We’ve been able to work out together. We’ve been able to throw a little bit while I’ve been up here. That fire inside to prove all the people who was s*******, and … wanted to say whatever, had all these hot takes that they wanted to say, he’s here, and he’s going to prove everyone wrong like he’s always done his entire life.”
ESPN’s @Djbienaime on CJ Stroud still not getting paid:
“If they don’t pay him this offseason…you can’t say it’s no big deal.”
Hutchinson’s message included a warning for Stroud’s detractors, who have been able to lean on his poor showing during the 2025 postseason over the fact that he also set career-highs in completion percentage and QB rating.
That was despite the Texans’ struggles under first-year coordinator Nick Caley.
“Oh, different guy. Definitely,” Nico Collins, Stroud’s top target, told KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson on May 9. “Different dude. Man on a mission, and he’s ready to hunt.”
GettyC.J. Stroud is still the subject of speculation amid uncertainty about his future.
Woody Marks noted how different the Texans’ offense has already looked to start Year 2 under Caley, who can (and, according to Marks, will) use the second-year running back more as a pass catcher with David Montgomery in the backfield to take pressure off Stroud.
Marks has also noticed the changes Stroud has made.
He joked about not believing the QB would cut off his locs, which he did. But Marks noted more pertinent changes while also sending a message that could relate to Stroud’s future in Houston.
“He been there since March 2nd, since we started the offseason workout. He’s been grinding. Got a new look,” Marks said on KPRC 2 on May 11. “But he’s been working. Just seeing the quarterback, the leader of the team, be there, out there working in the offseason, not working somewhere else, putting in work where he belongs at, and that’s in Houston–he’s been doing a tremendous job. I say he got bigger and stronger. His times when running outside, it’s getting faster. So, I say he should be using his legs a lot this year, too.”
Stroud has never been a frequent scrambler, but he certainly has the athleticism to do more in that regard. Perhaps notably, Stroud’s rushing attempts per game dipped following his concussion last season, going from 3.6 carries per game to 3.2 totes per outing.
His rushing yards also dropped from 23.6 YPG to 3.3 YPG, which could be a red flag.
GettyHouston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was seen in a photograph with Von Miller.
Collins, Hutchinson, and Marks’ comments validate what Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said about the impact that Stroud being present and attacking the offseason and their program as he has can have on the embattled QB’s teammates.
Ryans has lauded Stroud’s efforts.
“When you see a young man working the way he’s working, I know what that looks like on the other side,” Ryans told reporters in April. “It’s only positive things that can come from that.”
If Stroud has the bounce-back campaign that teammates like Collins, Hutchinson, and Marks and his coaches expect, the Texans will indeed be paying a hefty price for their QB, and they will likely do so happily.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He's based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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