Will Anderson Jr., C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
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Will Anderson Jr. #51 and C.J Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans warm up during rookie minicamp.
The Houston Texans have taken a significant step with both C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr., their top two picks of the 2023 draft.
Both players have at least one Pro Bowl on their resumes, and the Texans have expressed nothing but confidence in players whom they selected second (Stroud) and third (Anderson) overall in their class.
Wednesday was just another example of the Texans’ messaging on both players.
C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr. Get Contract Update From Texans
Nick Caserio, Houston Texans
GettyHouston Texans general manager Nick Caserio speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
“The Texans have exercised the 2027 fifth-year options on the contracts of QB CJ Stroud and All Pro DE Will Anderson, per source,” ESPN’s Field Yates reported on X on April 7. “Stroud is now due $25.904M in 2027, while Anderson is due $21.512M.
“Both players are also extension eligible.”
The Texans’ decision quickly made rounds on social media, particularly during a period of the NFL calendar that is largely quiet outside of draft preparations.
“Future is now in Houston,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter posted in reaction to the news. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said, “The #Texans lock in a couple of their starts for (at least) one more year” in his post.
The Texans were proactive, and they might not be done, specifically with Anderson.
“They had until May 1 to do so,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson posted following the news. “Anderson is expected to land a blockbuster extension this offseason.”
The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander posted, “Nick Caserio and DeMeco Ryans declined to say whether this would happen at the combine and owners meetings, but it only made sense.”
According to Wilson, this is “a precursor to expected blockbuster deal for Anderson, & buys time to evaluate how Stroud does this season. They believe the arrow is up for him.”
C.J. Stroud Still Has Internal Support
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans is interviewed after his team defeated the Indianapolis Colts.
The Texans have said all the right things regarding Stroud and their continued faith in him as their starter. Ryans lauded Stroud at the annual owners meeting in Arizona for being “dialed into the offseason.”
“He’s in full grind [mode] right now,” Ryans said, per Wilson in March. “I’m excited to see what comes from the work that he’s putting in. It’s only going to be better. The mindset is right. Physically, he’s in a really good space, mentally in a really good space. So I’m excited to see him get back to work.”
Likewise, ownership has also been supportive of Stroud.
“We’re totally behind him,” McNair said, per Alexander on April 1. “He’s totally bought into being our quarterback and all that entails.”
Caserio was just as committed to Stroud, specifically when it came to the 2026 season. He was less so regarding the Texans’ plans beyond that, which appear to at least include the 2027 campaign.
“He’s our quarterback, he’s played a lot of good football for us,” Caserio said during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” in February, following trade speculation regarding Stroud. “Glad he’s our quarterback, and glad he’s going to be here for next season, and we want him here.”
Texans Taking Expected Approach With C.J. Stroud
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans warms up before facing the Las Vegas Raiders.
Wilson reported on March 31 that the Texans “have discussed potential blockbuster contract extension for Anderson, per league sources,” but Stroud’s long-term future remains far more uncertain.
They were expected to pick up Stroud’s fifth-year option.
However, there is also a belief that the Texans still want to see more from the 2023 Pro Bowler and Offensive Rookie of the Year.
“I think (GM Nick) Caserio is going to let it go year to year,” an anonymous executive said, per The Athletic’s Mike Sando on April 2. “He very well may be inclined to draft another guy. It could be another year of Davis Mills (as the backup), and then Caserio drafts another quarterback.”