Historic $265 Million Decision Looms Large for Texans QB C.J. Stroud

   

C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are coming off their second straight AFC South crown and are positioned to repeat. However, the San Francisco 49ers’ five-year, $265 million contract extension with Brock Purdy looms large.

What Texans' C.J. Stroud is looking to reclaim ahead of wild-card game |  Yardbarker

Purdy was the final pick of the 2022 draft, Stroud No. 2 in 2023.

The latter will be eligible to sign a new contract in 2026, and the early sentiments are mixed about what Purdy’s deal means for those yet to come.

“The days of young, extension-eligible quarterbacks topping the most recent deal may be over, at least for the time being,” Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox wrote on May 16. “That’s most relevant for quarterbacks from the 2023 class, like C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young who, believe it or not, will be eligible for new deals next offseason.”

Purdy’s contract makes him the highest-paid player in franchise history. Stroud must beat Deshaun Watson’s four-year, $156 million contract to claim as much with the Texans.

 

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio wrote that Stroud is “on deck” after Purdy’s deal.

“Stroud’s spot on the list of highest-paid quarterbacks remains to be seen. Purdy landed in a tie for No. 7,” Florio wrote on May 17. “Stroud, with a better offensive line and overall improved offense, could put himself in position to fall between [Josh] Allen and Dak Prescott and the cluster of guys who are in the vicinity of $55 million in new-money average.”