Texans' C.J. Stroud gets incredible contract prediction fans won't like

The future of Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud isn't in doubt, but what the franchise should pay him is.

After another down year, which saw Stroud disintegrate in the playoff loss to the New England Patriots as he threw four first-half interceptions, the jury is out on whether the Texans should extend the first-round pick.

With one more year on his contract, plus the Texans' ability to pick up his option, that is two years to see if Stroud is worth it.

And ESPN's Dan Graziano has given an interesting contract prediction for C.J.

"Stroud's situation is a little different," Graziano writes. "The QB didn't play as well in his second or third seasons as he did in his first and completely melted down in this season's playoffs. Toss in that he missed three games due to injury in 2025, and it's going to be tough for Stroud to ask for top-QB money and get it."

Graziano's prediction: Four years, $224 million with $110 million guaranteed at signing.

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Is Stroud worth the proposed contract?

At the end of the day, you are worth what someone will pay you.

And for Stroud, going off Graziano's prediction, he'll be earning roughly $56 million APY. Yikes.

As it stands, that would make Stroud the second-highest-paid quarterback in football, out-earning Joe Burrow and Josh Allen by $1 million, and making more than Lamar Jackson, Brock Purdy, and Jared Goff.

The only QB who would be making more than him is Dak Prescott at $60 million APY.

Would the Texans really pay up that amount of money?

I get the sense they will need to see a lot more from Stroud to do so comfortably.

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