Texans Exercise Fifth-Year Options on CJ Stroud, Will Anderson

HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 20: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans celebrates with his teammate Will Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans following an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium on November 20, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Texans are continuing to have an active offseason: KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson has just reported that Houston is exercising the fifth-year option on QB CJ Stroud and DE Will Anderson:

Under these options, CJ Stroud will be due $25.904 million and Will Anderson will be due $21.512 million in 2027. As of the 2026 league year, these contracts would make Stroud the 17th highest-paid QB (right above Malik Willis, right below Baker Mayfield) and Will Anderson the 17th highest-paid edge rusher (right above John Franklin-Myers, right below George Karlaftis).

These come as expected moves since both Stroud and Anderson will demand extremely large, lucrative contracts that will require plenty of time to successfully negotiate between parties. Both players won offensive rookie and defensive rookie-of-the-year honors, respectively, in 2023, and Will Anderson just nabbed a First Team All-Pro selection in 2025. This fifth-year option, only offered to first-round selections, gives the Texans front office and the players time to work out a second contract while also guaranteeing both players a solid salary in the event a contract is not finalized by the 2027 league year.

While this provides some needed security to all parties involved, it certainly doesn’t pour cold water on the prospect of either player receiving a record-breaking contract soon. Aaron Wilson seems to expect an extension for Anderson in the coming months, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he becomes the NFL highest-paid edge rusher after it’s all said and done. CJ Stroud, on the other hand, has seen his stock fall as of late and may welcome this fifth-year option as a way of punting on extension details until later on. There’s no doubt that he’ll be betting on himself in 2026, and if he’s able to get back to his rookie form, then he’ll be next in line for a monster extension.

What do you think of these moves, though? Was Houston right to get these options taken care of, or should they have pushed the issue with CJ Stroud or Will Anderson this offseason? Will general manager Nick Caserio end up getting caught between two gigantic contracts in 2026/2027, or will his front office succeed in paying the stars while keeping cap space open in the future? Heck, how big do you think these contracts will be once they’re finalized? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments below!

GO TEXANS!!!