After back-to-back 10-7 seasons, the Houston Texans enjoyed their best year yet under head coach DeMeco Ryans, rattling off nine straight to finish with a 12-15 record and defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
What’s even more impressive is that it all came amid a brutal year from franchise quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Stroud finished with a career-low 3,041 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, and eight interceptions across 14 games, along with a 92.9 passer rating that ranked in the bottom half of the league. The Texans’ star-studded defense carried them all year, headlined by Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Azeez Al-Shaair, Kamari Lassiter, and Derek Stingley Jr.
Still, Stroud is considered a vital part of Houston’s future as the franchise eyes another run at the AFC South title.
But according to ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime, the Texans and Stroud are not close to a contract extension as of late June, with negotiations reportedly stalled following his disappointing 2025 season. Bien-Aime characterized the situation as a potential “prove-it season,” noting that Houston could be hesitant to commit $55 million to $60 million annually after how last season ended.
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The Texans’ 30-6 wild-card win over the Steelers was impressive, with the defense holding Pittsburgh to just 175 total yards and two field goals. The 30 points can be deceiving, though. Running back Woody Marks accounted for one touchdown, along with 112 rushing yards, while the defense accounted for two more. Stroud was only actually responsible for one touchdown and completed just 21 of 32 passes for 250 yards and an interception.
But the following week was even worse, and the real hesitancy for wanting to give him a long-term contract.
The Texans fell to the New England Patriots 28-16 in the Divisional Round, with Stroud going 20 for 47 through the air for 212 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions, all in the first half.
Stroud was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he immediately transformed the Texans into a playoff team. He won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and earned a Pro Bowl selection after throwing for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He finished the year with the sixth-best passer rating in football (100.8).
The issue is that he’s regressed significantly since, and he’s now nearing the end of his rookie deal. The wheels could be falling off at the worst possible time for the former Ohio State star.
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