Notebook: Breaking down the past week of Wisconsin’s spring ball practices
Insights from the Wisconsin Badgers' recent spring practices.
The Houston Texans have picked up quarterback C.J. Stroud's fifth-year option, allowing two more seasons for evaluation despite concerns over his recent performances. General Manager Nick Caserio stated that the decision was straightforward.
Texans GM makes defiant C.J. Stroud statement originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The future of Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is murky at best, with his performances over the past two seasons leaving a lot to be desired.
His playoff performance against the New England Patriots led many to question whether Stroud was the right guy for Houston long-term after four first-half interceptions.
But the Texans picked up Stroud's fifth-year option last week, giving them two seasons of evaluation to determine if he'll be "the" guy long-term.
And Texans general manager Nick Caserio thinks picking up Stroud's fifth-year option was an easy decision.
"I don't really think that affects his future. He's our quarterback," Caserio said via NFL.com. "We've said that from the beginning. DeMeco (Ryans) and I have both said it. I think that was really more of a procedural thing. I don't want to say it was a no-brainer, but it was kind of a no-brainer, so we're glad he's here. Again, it's more of a part of the process."
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That might be a little heavy-handed, but if Stroud continues to play as he has done in the previous two years in 2026, that isn't going to bode well for him.
What Houston and its fans want to see is improvement, and in truth, something close to what Stroud did in his rookie season.
A reason for hope.
He came into the league in a blaze of glory, but now that fire has dimmed significantly, and if Stroud can start that fire again in 2026, many wonder what that will mean for his future in Houston.
Caserio appears content with Stroud as the franchise's quarterback...for now.
The Texans picked up C.J. Stroud's fifth-year option to allow two additional seasons for evaluation of his performance and potential as the team's long-term quarterback.
C.J. Stroud struggled in the playoffs against the New England Patriots, throwing four interceptions in the first half, which raised questions about his suitability as the Texans' long-term quarterback.
C.J. Stroud's future with the Texans will be determined over the next two seasons as the team evaluates his performance following the decision to pick up his fifth-year option.
Insights from the Wisconsin Badgers' recent spring practices.

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