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Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud got a clear message from his GM, who also discussed Aaron Rodgers.

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio does not mince words, and his remarks about Aaron Rodgers underscore that regarding his comments on C.J. Stroud. Stroud has faced significant scrutiny since the Texans’ season ended.

He has embraced the challenge of bouncing back, and Caserio and the Texans have been vocally in his corner.

That has not changed.

Nick Caserio Delivers ‘Reality’ Check for C.J. Stroud

Asked about Stroud’s future with the Texans, who picked up his fifth-year option but did not extend him like 2023 draft mate Will Anderson Jr. or several other players in recent years.

At least not yet, as Caserio spoke on the “reality” of the situation for the fourth-year QB.

“It’s just to approach this year with the right attitude and just go out there and play good, consistent football. C.J. is one of the better quarterbacks here in the league. He’s shown that in the first three years. Right now, we’re in the offseason program here. He’s been here, he’s been involved, he’s had a good attitude, he’s worked really hard,” Caserio said on “The Pat McAfee Show” on April 28.

“Again, it’s focus on the things that you can improve, correct some of the things, or where are the areas of growth? That’s what this program–and that’s what the focus–is for him and our program.”

“DeMeco [Ryans] talks to the players about that all the time,” Caserio said. “It’s just kind of focusing on yourself and continually improving and getting better, and then growing in the areas that we’ve identified that we feel you can [show] growth. And we’re glad that he’s here. We’re glad he’s under center and glad that he’s our quarterback.”

Stroud is under contract through the 2027 season after the Texans picked up his fifth-year option, but the price of good quarterbacks is not going down.

The longer the Texans wait, the more expensive it will be to retain Stroud long-term.

The rise in the salary cap will ultimately change how the dollar value is viewed in a vacuum. But the percentage of the salary cap that it takes up will always be significant when executives like Caserio, who is also the Texans’ executive vice president, are building out a roster.

Nick Caserio Addresses Aaron Rodgers Decision

Caserio did not limit his candidness to Stroud or the Texans. He also spoke about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to use the UFA tender on Rodgers.

Again, it underscored that Caserio says just what he means when speaking publicly.

“It doesn’t happen very often. When I was in New England, we actually did it one year. I think we did it with LG; I think we did it with LeGarrette Blount. And I think it’s–again, it’s kind of case-by-case, sort of team discretion,” Caserio said.

“I think it’s just more the team’s looking at it from the perspective of just trying to, maybe, potentially keep a good player around, potentially, beyond the upcoming season.”

Caserio, who noted that Rodgers will likely address the situation during his next appearance on the show, also noted that the league sends out emails daily regarding the transactions over the past day or so to keep every team up to date.