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Texans GM: 'No-brainer' to pick up C.J. Stroud's option after 4 INT playoff game
TL;DR
The Houston Texans have officially exercised the fifth-year option for quarterback C.J. Stroud, with GM Nick Caserio calling it a 'no-brainer' decision. This comes after Stroud's challenging playoff performance where he threw four interceptions.
C.J. Stroud might be under the most pressure of his career entering his fourth NFL season, but the Houston Texans have shown strong support for their starting quarterback.
While speaking to reporters on April 13, Texans general manager Nick Caserio doubled down on the team’s decision to exercise the 2027 fifth-year option for Stroud.
“He’s our quarterback. We’ve said that from the beginning. I think that was really more of a procedural thing,” Caserio said. “It was kind of a no-brainer. Glad he’s here. It’s more part of the process.”
The Texans picked up the fifth-year option for both their 2023 first round picks – defensive end Will Anderson Jr. and Stroud – last week.
Houston’s decision to exercise Anderson’s fifth-year option was a no-brainer. The defensive end won the 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, he’s a two-time Pro Bowler and was named a 2025 first-team All-Pro.
- Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
- New York Jets – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech
- Arizona Cardinals – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
- Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
- New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
- Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
- Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
- New Orleans Saints – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
- Kansas City Chiefs – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
- Cincinnati Bengals – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
- Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)
- Dallas Cowboys – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)
- Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
- Baltimore Ravens – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
- New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
- Detroit Lions – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
- Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
- Carolina Panthers – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
- Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
- Los Angeles Chargers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)
- Philadelphia Eagles – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
- Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
- Chicago Bears – T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson
- Buffalo Bills – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
- San Francisco 49ers – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
- Houston Texans – Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
- Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) – Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF
- Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
- New England Patriots – Zion Young, DE/OLB, Missouri
- Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
1 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
1 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- New York Jets – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech
3 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Arizona Cardinals – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
4 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
5 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
6 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
7 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
8 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- New Orleans Saints – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
9 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Kansas City Chiefs – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
10 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Cincinnati Bengals – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
11 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)
12 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Dallas Cowboys – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)
13 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
14 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Baltimore Ravens – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
15 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
16 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
17 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Detroit Lions – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
18 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
19 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Carolina Panthers – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
20 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
21 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
22 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Los Angeles Chargers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)
23 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Philadelphia Eagles – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
24 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
25 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Chicago Bears – T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson
26 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Buffalo Bills – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
27 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- San Francisco 49ers – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
28 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Houston Texans – Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
29 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) – Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF
30 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
31 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- New England Patriots – Zion Young, DE/OLB, Missouri
32 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
- Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The team’s choice to pick up Stroud’s fifth-year option was expected, but it wasn’t as much of a slam dunk.
Stroud’s production has slipped after a record-setting rookie campaign during which he recorded the third most passing yards by a rookie in NFL history and was named Offensive Rookie of the Year. His career single-season highs in passing yards (4,108), touchdowns (23) and passer rating (100.8) all occurred during his 2023 rookie campaign.
Stroud finished 19th in passing yards (3,041) and tied for 21st in touchdown passes (19) last regular season. He then struggled mightily in the playoffs, tossing five interceptions in two games, including four picks in Houston’s divisional round loss to the New England Patriots.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said "C.J.'s our guy" following Stroud’s nightmare postseason performance and has continued to reaffirm his confidence in the quarterback this offseason.
Even though the Texans have Anderson and Stroud secured through the 2027 season, both players are eligible for long-term extensions. Anderson’s extension presumably will happen first because he’s had the better and more consistent start to his NFL career. The Texans could wait to see how Stroud performs this season before they make a determination about a multi-year deal.
Stroud’s reportedly worked hard this offseason in preparation for what figures to be a very important year for the QB.
“We’re excited about his offseason. I think he’s had a good approach and a good attitude here. He’s put a lot of work in from March and April,” Caserio said. “Excited to have him around here this spring and excited to keep moving forward.”
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texans GM backs C.J. Stroud entering important season for quarterback
Q&A
Why did the Texans pick up C.J. Stroud's fifth-year option?
The Texans picked up C.J. Stroud's fifth-year option because they view him as their starting quarterback and consider the decision a procedural formality.
What was C.J. Stroud's performance in the playoff game?
C.J. Stroud had a tough playoff game, throwing four interceptions, which added pressure as he enters his fourth NFL season.
Who else had their fifth-year option picked up by the Texans?
Along with C.J. Stroud, the Texans also exercised the fifth-year option for defensive end Will Anderson Jr.
What accolades has Will Anderson Jr. achieved in his career?
Will Anderson Jr. won the 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, is a two-time Pro Bowler, and was named a 2025 first-team All-Pro.
