Texans' Will Anderson Jr. makes feelings on C.J. Stroud clear amid uncertainty

The Houston Texans recently made Will Anderson Jr. the new highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history when they signed the edge-rusher to a three-year, $150M extension that includes $134M guaranteed and a no-trade clause.

Meanwhile, Houston starting quarterback and fellow 2023 first-round draft pick C.J. Stroud has received no financial guarantees from his club other than having the fifth-year option for 2027 picked up. 

While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Anderson revealed that he received a text from Stroud once word about the record-setting extension went public. Anderson also indicated that he views Stroud as a vital part of the Texans' future. 

Will Anderson Jr. views C.J. Stroud as leader for the Texans

"Coming in with C.J. has been awesome," Anderson explained, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "It can be kind of hard when you come in by yourself, and you got to figure things out, figure people out. But coming in with C.J. was great because we had each other our rookie year, and we still got each other now. But to be able to come in with somebody who’s also God-fearing as well, but also loves his craft, loves to get better, and loves to see the guys around him succeed and also is a leader, too."

It remains unclear if Anderson will have Stroud as a teammate beyond the 2026 season. Earlier in April, Texans general manager Nick Caserio noticeably did not say the club wants to lock Stroud down via what would be an expensive multiyear contract. NFL insiders think Caserio prefers to keep Stroud in a "pay-as-you-go" situation after the 24-year-old tossed five interceptions and lost two of five fumbles in Houston's two playoff games this past January.

Will Anderson Jr. and C.J. Stroud toughed things out together

"It was great for me because the days I was down, he was picking me up," Anderson added about Stroud. "The days he was down, I was picking him up. We just toughed it out, and we did it."

That's all well and good, but Stroud may need to show more than toughness this coming fall to still be Houston's QB1 by the time the 2027 NFL Draft gets underway.