CJ Stroud, Houston Texans
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Houston Texans QB CJ Stroud.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have the misfortune of being one of several teams desperately in need of a starting quarterback for 2026 — and perhaps beyond.
The bad news for Pittsburgh is that there couldn’t be a worse time to need one. Whether it’s free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft, the options are thin when it comes to the most important position in sports.
Of course, with the Steelers, Aaron Rodgers could decide to return for another season — even at 42 years old — and temporarily solve their glaring problem.
But if that doesn’t happen, new head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Omar Khan could be forced into desperation mode. And desperation in today’s NFL sometimes means swinging big on the trade market.
There will be potential options available if the Steelers explore that route. Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa are two names that could surface depending on how their teams proceed.
However, Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon floated another quarterback idea — one most aren’t even discussing — that would send shockwaves through the NFL.
Steelers Trade Pitch With Texans Would Shake Up NFL
The quarterback Gagnon mentioned? Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Stroud burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2023, winning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and looking every bit like a future superstar. But since that breakout season, the Texans quarterback hype has cooled off.
“Stroud bombed when it mattered most for the otherwise awesome Texans in 2025, and it’s fair to wonder if he peaked two years ago as a rookie. It’s been quite messy ever since, and the team risks squandering a window with an elite defense if Stroud doesn’t get it together soon,” Gagnon wrote.
“This could be an opportunity for a reset while Stroud still has some of the value left over from his magical 2023 campaign.”
If this somehow became reality, it would instantly become one of the boldest trade swings in Steelers history — and not just because of the name involved.
The Steelers would have to mortgage part of their future.
Steelers Would Have To Pay Massive Price for C.J. Stroud Trade
Gagnon’s proposed price is steep. He suggests Pittsburgh would send its 2026 and 2027 first-round picks to Houston.
That’s a franchise-altering gamble.
Stroud is still just 24 years old and entering the final year of his four-year, $36.2 million rookie deal signed in 2023. He’ll make a base salary of $1.1 million in 2026 with an $11.5 million cap hit — extremely manageable for a starting quarterback.
But the production dip is real. After his electric rookie campaign, his numbers have declined over the last two seasons, and Houston’s offense has stalled as a result.
That puts the Texans in a difficult position after 2026. They could exercise his $25.9 million fifth-year option for 2027 or negotiate a long-term extension. But if doubts continue to linger, Houston could explore a reset before committing massive money.
Even with the recent regression, it’s hard to imagine Stroud wouldn’t command serious interest around the league.
And if the Steelers miss out on Rodgers and the rest of the quarterback carousel spins past them, don’t rule out Pittsburgh being one of the teams bold enough to at least make the call.