Should the Texans pay C.J. Stroud? NFL execs from around the league weigh in

playKevin Clark: C.J. Stroud is the biggest X factor in the league (0:51)Kevin Clark shares his thoughts on "Get Up” about whether C.J. Stroud can lead the Texans to a Super Bowl. (0:51) HOUSTON -- C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. didn't just arrive in Houston -- they reshaped the franchise overnight. After selecting Stroud second overall in 2023, the Texans made an aggressive gamble to trade up to No. 3 to land Anderson, doubling down on a bold, franchise-altering vision. Three years later, Houston sat at a crossroads -- with both entering the offseason extension-eligible. After a historic rookie season, it seemed like Stroud was set to reset the quarterback market, but instead, it's Anderson who defined the market for defensive ends, agreeing to a three-year, $150 million deal -- making him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history. That left Stroud at the center of one of the biggest questions in the NFL: Should the Texans pay him? ESPN polled league executives and others around the NFL about what they would do if they were in Houston's shoes, and the responses ranged from "They gotta pay him" to "Wait." Years 2 and 3 didn't replicate similar production for Stroud, with his latest playoff performances leaving much to be desired after seven turnovers in two games. As of late April, Houston and Stroud had yet to engage in serious extension talks, according to league sources. So which way is Houston leaning? Coach DeMeco Ryans isn't tipping his hand. Despite buzz around the annual league meetings in March about what the Texans should do, Houston's coach kept a firm poker face in Phoenix -- declining to offer any insight into Stroud's contract. Ryans said he doesn't "discuss contracts publicly." But league executives feel like paying him is inevitable because life with a talented quarterback is always better than being in quarterback purgatory. "I think he's plenty talented. I just think just running a more efficient offense would justify the payday," an AFC executive told ESPN. "I think everyone [I talk to] feels like you gotta pay him. Low bar for the position. "It also could save you money if you extend him [now], because the market always goes up." Will Anderson Jr., left, and C.J. Stroud participate in the Houston Texans' rookie minicamp in 2023. David J. Phillip/APTHE CONSENSUS SURROUNDING Stroud is that he is a talented quarterback. He threw for 4,108 yards in 2023 (third most by a rookie in NFL history) and 23 touchdowns -- to five interceptions -- and finished ninth in MVP voting. He was named Offensive Rookie of the Year and to the Pro Bowl. In his three years, Stroud has compiled 28 regular-season wins (seventh most during that span), a 54.9 QBR (20th), 10,876 passing yards (ninth), 25 interceptions (12th fewest among quarterbacks with at least 30 starts) and 62 touchdown passes (tied for 14th). And in the playoffs, he has three wins (tied for fourth), 1,438 passing yards (fourth) and six touchdown passes (eighth). So it's fair based on Stroud's accomplishments that he deserved an extension, but at what price? "Offer him something like top 8-12 [QB] money," an NFC executive said. "I'd try to give him a three-year extension at like $42-45 million per year now. Or plan to franchise him out like [Dallas Cowboys QB] Dak Prescott in 2020." The eighth-highest annual salary for a quarterback belongs to the Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts ($51 million) and the 12th belongs to the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes ($45 million). The NFC executive believes Stroud and his management team -- led by agent David Mulugheta of Athletes First -- would reject the 8-12 deal. The executive said he would be willing to increase the offer to strike a deal, and if that failed, just prepare to use the franchise tag if needed in 2028. Texans owner Cal McNair would love to have his cornerstone pieces like Stroud and Anderson in Houston for the foreseeable future. But he won't meddle in the football discussion, he'll just sign the checks. "We'll let DeMeco and [general manager Nick Caserio] make the football decisions there, but they're exciting, really good young players," McNair said at the annual league meetings. "We'll hope to have them around for a long, long time." Cooper Neill/Getty ImagesSTROUD HAS PLAYED well in playoff openers, but last January was different. He struggled with ball security in both of the Texans' playoff games, and in the divisional round loss to the New England Patriots, things were so alarming (four interceptions) that Ryans was asked postgame about whether he considered benching Stroud. Ryans said he hadn't, despite Davis Mills going 3-0 in Stroud's concussion-related absence earlier this season. The questions haven't stopped. Caserio was asked during the combine in late February about the possibility of trading his quarterback, but he scoffed at the notion, calling it "moronic." "We are not trading the guy. He's our quarterback," Caserio said. "He's going to be playing qua

Should the Texans pay C.J. Stroud? NFL execs from around the league weigh in

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