Texans Set Week 1 Deadline for C.J. Stroud Extension After 28 Career Wins

General manager Nick Caserio established a Week 1 cutoff for a C.J. Stroud extension, noting the team will otherwise wait until the offseason to finalize a deal.

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio announced on Tuesday that the franchise has established a Week 1 deadline to finalize a contract extension with quarterback C.J. Stroud. If an agreement is not reached before the regular season opener, which is currently less than two weeks away, the team intends to revisit negotiations during the offseason. This decision follows a three-year tenure in which Stroud has compiled 28 regular-season victories, 10,876 passing yards, and 62 passing touchdowns against 25 interceptions.

Stroud, the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has led Houston to two AFC South divisional titles and three consecutive playoff appearances. Despite these accolades, his statistical output has trended downward since a historic 2023 rookie campaign. That year, he recorded 4,108 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions across 15 games. In 2024, those numbers shifted to 3,727 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 17 starts, a season in which he was sacked 52 times, the second-highest total in the league. During the 2025 season, Stroud finished with 3,041 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while missing three contests due to a concussion.

Complex Negotiations and Playoff Performance

League sources indicate that while the Texans and Stroud’s agent, David Mulugheta, have engaged in discussions throughout the offseason, no agreement has been imminent. Negotiations have been complicated by Stroud’s recent postseason struggles, specifically regarding ball security. In two playoff games, the quarterback accounted for seven total turnovers, including a divisional round loss to the New England Patriots where he threw four first-half interceptions.

To begin training camp on July 29, Caserio initially characterized a new deal as a "possibility." However, the window for a pre-season agreement is shrinking. The Texans previously exercised Stroud’s fifth-year option for 2027 in April, ensuring he remains under contract for at least two more seasons. Stroud addressed the situation at the start of camp, stating he is focusing on daily preparation while letting Mulugheta manage the business aspects. "The football is what's gotten me to even have the conversation," Stroud remarked on July 29.

Statistical Rankings and Roster Moves

Among NFL quarterbacks with at least 30 starts during his career span, Stroud ranks seventh in wins, ninth in passing yards, and 20th in QBR with a 54.9 rating. His 62 passing touchdowns tie him for 14th in the league, while his 25 interceptions represent the 12th fewest in that category.

In addition to the quarterback's contract status, Caserio revealed that right tackle Braden Smith will be placed on injured reserve with a designation to return. Smith, who signed a two-year, $25 million contract as an unrestricted free agent this offseason, sustained a foot injury during joint practices against the Carolina Panthers last week. Before the injury, Smith was competing with Trent Brown for the starting role on the right side of the offensive line.