How Lamar Jackson, Bryce Young may be impacting Texans' C.J. Stroud decision

Houston Texans owner Cal McNair noticeably stopped short of guaranteeing that the club will sign quarterback C.J. Stroud to a multiyear extension this offseason after Houston picked up the fifth-year option for 2027 attached to Stroud's contract.

NFL insider Dan Graziano of ESPN explained how the situations involving Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson and Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers may be impacting the Texans' handling of Stroud. 

Texans "can afford to wait" to pay C.J. Stroud

"There aren't currently any big quarterback extensions on the horizon anywhere else that would scare Houston into trying to get ahead of the market," Graziano said about why Stroud hasn't received an extension. "Carolina doesn't seem in a huge hurry to do a Bryce Young extension. Lamar Jackson isn't rushing to do an extension with the Ravens. In turn, the Texans aren't at risk of having to pay a ton more next offseason than they'd likely have to pay this offseason to get Stroud under contract long term. They can afford to wait."

Jackson is a two-time MVP who signed a five-year deal reportedly worth up to $260M with $185M guaranteed to stay with the Ravens in 2023. Additionally, he could use the threat of a trade request to receive a new deal from Baltimore at any point. 

Neither Stroud nor Young is nearly as accomplished as Jackson, which is why the younger signal-callers may remain on their current contracts for the foreseeable future. Earlier this offseason, Carolina picked up the fifth-year option for 2027 attached to Young's deal. 

As for Stroud, he seemingly regressed over back-to-back seasons after he won the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award for the 2023 campaign. He then was intercepted five times and lost two of five fumbles across two playoff games this past January. 

Texans aren't giving up on C.J. Stroud quite yet

"If Stroud rebounds and plays in 2026 the way he did as a rookie," Graziano continued, "I believe the Texans will have no issues extending him next offseason. Heck, Stroud himself likely realizes he'd be better off putting a better finish on tape and negotiating off that. Everybody involved wants things to be better in 2026 than they were in 2025, so let's see what happens, then make the next move."

That next move could be the Texans looking for an upgrade at the sport's most important position in 2027 if Stroud endures a rough season or once again struggles on a big stage during a January contest.