Texans Address Trade Speculation Around C.J. Stroud
The Houston Texans are eager to quell trade rumors surrounding their quarterback, C.J. Stroud.
During the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, general manager Nick Caserio described the talk of a potential trade as “stupid.” He firmly stated that the Texans have no intention of moving Stroud.
“He’s our quarterback,” Caserio emphasized in a video from KPRC in Houston. “He’s not going anywhere. We have plenty of confidence in him. Coach DeMeco Ryans and I believe in supporting our players and doing what we can to help them succeed.”
Stroud has led the Texans to the divisional round of the playoffs in each of his three seasons. However, his performance at the end of the previous season raised some eyebrows.
During Houston’s playoff matchup against the Patriots, Stroud threw four interceptions in just the first half, leading to a 28-16 loss that marked a missed opportunity for their first AFC Championship game appearance.
Despite a solid 12-5 regular season record, Stroud’s struggles in the postseason sparked discussions about whether the Texans should consider a major change.
As Stroud enters the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, there’s anticipation around potential extensions. Houston is looking at a long-term deal and has the option to keep him under contract until 2027 with a $27 million team option.
“He has a lot of confidence in C.J.,” Caserio remarked. “We trust our players and are pleased to have him as our quarterback.”
Stroud, who was drafted in the first round from Ohio State University, earned the title of Rookie of the Year. In that debut season, he threw for 4,108 yards, launched 28 touchdowns, and had just five interceptions, establishing himself as one of the league’s promising young quarterbacks.
However, some observers believe he hasn’t quite made the progress expected and has shown signs of regression since that standout rookie year.
For the time being, Stroud seems to appreciate the confidence expressed by Caserio regarding his future with the Texans.
