Texans Exercise Options for Stroud, Anderson

Houston locks up young stars through 2027 season

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:25pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, breaking down a football game or match into sharp, overlapping geometric planes in navy blue, battle red, and steel grey, capturing the raw energy and strategic complexity of the sport.The Texans' strategic move to lock up their young stars Stroud and Anderson signals a new era of geometric, cubist-inspired energy for the franchise.Houston Today

The Houston Texans have exercised the fifth-year contract options for quarterback CJ Stroud and pass-rusher Will Anderson, keeping the 2023 NFL Draft's second and third overall picks under team control through the 2027 season.

Why it matters

Stroud and Anderson have emerged as two of the league's brightest young stars, making the Pro Bowl and earning Rookie of the Year honors in their first few seasons. Locking them up long-term is a crucial move for the Texans as they look to build a contender in the AFC.

The details

The Texans will pay Stroud $25.904 million and Anderson $21.512 million in 2027 under the fifth-year option. The team has until May 1 to exercise the options, which are seen as a precursor to potential long-term extensions, especially for Anderson, the dominant pass-rusher. Stroud, the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year, has a 28-18 record as a starter with three playoff appearances in his first three seasons.

  • The Texans had until May 1, 2026 to exercise the fifth-year options for Stroud and Anderson.
  • Stroud was named the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
  • Anderson was named the 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and made the Pro Bowl in 2023 and 2025.

The players

CJ Stroud

The Texans' starting quarterback, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Stroud has a 28-18 record as a starter with three playoff appearances in his first three seasons, and was named the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Will Anderson

The Texans' star pass-rusher, who was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Anderson has tallied 30 sacks, 64 quarterback hits, and 136 tackles in 46 games, and was named the 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and made the Pro Bowl in 2023 and 2025.

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What they’re saying

“Locking up CJ and Will long-term is a huge priority for us as we continue to build this team into a contender. They're two of the best young players in the league and we're excited to have them as the cornerstones of our franchise.”

— Nick Caserio, Texans General Manager

What’s next

The Texans are expected to work on long-term contract extensions for both Stroud and Anderson in the coming months, with the fifth-year options serving as a precursor to those deals.

The takeaway

The Texans have secured the futures of their two most important young players, quarterback CJ Stroud and pass-rusher Will Anderson, by exercising their fifth-year contract options. This move solidifies the team's core and gives them the opportunity to build around these rising stars as they aim to become a contender in the AFC.