- May 21, 2026
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Texans quarterback CJ Stroud is entering a critical fourth season, particularly after his four-interception performance in the divisional round that helped end the club's 2025 postseason.
Houston General Manager Nick Caserio said last week that if the club and Stroud don’t work out a contract extension before the season begins on Sunday, then it won’t be addressed until the offseason.
That would give the team more time to evaluate Stroud. But it would also give Stroud the opportunity to set himself up for a bigger payday with a strong 2026.
One of Stroud’s top weapons, receiver Nico Collins, said recently that he feels the quarterback is prepared to execute well in the coming season.
"He’s built for everything," Collins said, via DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN. "We believe in him, we love him. This is the best position he can be in right now. I feel like he is about to go out and show the whole world what he's made of, and I can't wait. We got his back 100 percent, all the way."
Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 draft, completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 3,041 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 14 regular-season games last year. He completed 51.9 percent of his throws for 462 yards with two TDs and five picks in the postseason.
Houston General Manager Nick Caserio said last week that if the club and Stroud don’t work out a contract extension before the season begins on Sunday, then it won’t be addressed until the offseason.
That would give the team more time to evaluate Stroud. But it would also give Stroud the opportunity to set himself up for a bigger payday with a strong 2026.
One of Stroud’s top weapons, receiver Nico Collins, said recently that he feels the quarterback is prepared to execute well in the coming season.
"He’s built for everything," Collins said, via DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN. "We believe in him, we love him. This is the best position he can be in right now. I feel like he is about to go out and show the whole world what he's made of, and I can't wait. We got his back 100 percent, all the way."
Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 draft, completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 3,041 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 14 regular-season games last year. He completed 51.9 percent of his throws for 462 yards with two TDs and five picks in the postseason.