Nick Caserio, the Houston Texans’ general manager asked about C.J. Stroud trade speculation this offseason. Speaking at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday, Caserio closed the conversation before it could gain any traction.
His 24-year-old quarterback, selected second overall in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, is staying in Houston. The debate, from Caserio’s perspective, was not worth entertaining.
Houston’s front office is firmly behind Stroud heading into the 2026 season.
A Divisional Round Exit Fueled Questions Texans Were Not Willing to Entertain
Jan 18, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) after the game against the New England Patriots in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Jan 18, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) after the game against the New England Patriots in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
The speculation did not come from nowhere. Houston’s season ended in a 28-16 divisional round loss to the New England Patriots, with Stroud completing just 20 of 47 passes for 212 yards and throwing four interceptions.
He finished the postseason with seven turnovers. That kind of showing will get a quarterback’s job security questioned, which is exactly what happened.
When asked, Caserio did not hold back:
“It’s moronic. Like we’re not trading the guy. He’s our quarterback. So, he’s gonna be playing quarterback for the Houston Texans in 2026. Anything beyond that, you guys can speculate on that, but we’re not trading C.J. Stroud.”
NFL insider Adam Schefter shared the exchange on X.
Texans GM general manager Nick Caserio called trade speculation about his quarterback C.J. Stroud “moronic” and insisted the team is “not trading C.J.” pic.twitter.com/NDj0RTnVW1
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 24, 2026
Stroud’s 2025 regular season numbers did not justify the level of outside noise, either. He threw for 3,041 yards and 19 touchdowns across 14 starts, missing three games after a concussion sustained in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos.
The friction comes from where Stroud stands today versus his 2023 rookie campaign, when he threw for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns and won AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Stroud’s Contract Extension Remains Unsettled as the 2026 Season Approaches
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Jun 10, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans executive vice president and general manager Nick Caserio, left, speaks with defensive coordinator Matt Burke, right, during an NFL football minicamp at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Caserio shutting down trade talk and committing to a contract extension are two entirely separate things. He gave no timeline on a potential long-term deal.
Stroud is currently extension-eligible. ESPN insider Dan Graziano predicted the Texans would find a way to lock him up long-term, but noted the playoff performance might give the front office “pause” before putting pen to paper.
The team also holds an option on Stroud’s contract through 2027, which buys them time before any larger financial commitment becomes unavoidable.
The defense has been consistently strong. The structure around Stroud is in place. What the Texans still need is the version of Stroud who could not miss in 2023.