Houston Texans make huge decision on CJ Stroud's future after quarterback's playoff meltdown
The Houston Texans have exercised the fifth-year options on the contracts of both C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson.
It means two of the team's star players, who were selected Nos. 2 and No. 3 overall in the 2023 draft, are tied down for at least the 2027 season.
Quarterback Stroud is now due just over $25 million in 2027, while defensive end Anderson will get just over $21m.
The decision to extend Stroud, the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year, comes just months after he suffered a disastrous end to the NFL season in the playoffs.
Many thought the Texans had a chance to go to the Super Bowl thanks to DeMeco Ryans' terrifying defense that bulldozed the NFL down the stretch.
But he had a torrid game against the New England Patriots in the divisional round as they were eliminated from the playoffs in a 28-16 loss.
The Houston Texans have exercised the fifth-year options on the contract of CJ Stroud
Defensive end Will Anderson (center) has also had his contracted extended through 2027
A week after Stroud committed three turnovers in his team's wild-card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, he threw four interceptions in the first half against the Patriots.
That performance led many to question whether he was the man to lead the Texans to the Super Bowl.
And then, at the NFL Combine, general manager Nick Caserio and Ryans refused to say whether the team would pick up the fifth-year option in Stroud's deal.
But now they've committed to him for at least the next two seasons as they consider whether to move forward with him at quarterback long term.
Anderson, meanwhile, is the center piece of their fearsome defense and is likely to get a big-money extension this offseason.
