Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud isn't placing much focus on contract negotiations but feels that he's shown enough to warrant an extension.
"I let my agent handle that. If it's time to do it, then it is," Stroud said Thursday, according to ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime. "My job is football. That's what I'm focused on, just getting better. I think I've held my bargain up. Whatever happens, happens."
The Texans picked up the fifth-year option on Stroud's rookie contract, which will pay him $25.9 million in 2027. Houston also exercised the clause in the contract of defensive end Will Anderson Jr. before signing him to a three-year, $150-million extension in April.
Stroud enjoyed a stellar 2023 rookie campaign in which he passed for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns. Yet the Ohio State product hasn't replicated those numbers over the past two years. He produced 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions with a career-high 64.5% completion rate last season.
Since drafting Stroud and Anderson, Houston has posted a 32-19 regular-season record while securing three playoff wins and two AFC South titles.
Stroud will carry an $11.5 million cap hit in 2026, according to Over the Cap.
The 24-year-old's lack of ball security became a concern during the Texans' playoff run last season. He accounted for seven turnovers across two postseason games, including four first-half interceptions in a divisional round loss to the New England Patriots.
Stroud is now opting to use his postseason shortcomings as motivation instead of being consumed by them.
"I am a motivated person regardless," Stroud said. "Of course, (the playoff struggle) helps. I have learned to let failures and successes go quickly."
