Texans Exercise 5th Year Options on Stroud and Anderson Contracts

The team must decide which young stars to keep as their rookie deals expire.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:14am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a football game or match, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the team colors of the Houston Texans and their opponents.The Texans' strategic moves to retain their young stars highlight the complex financial challenges of building a contending NFL roster.Houston Today

The Houston Texans have exercised the fifth-year contract options for quarterback C.J. Stroud and wide receiver Brandin Anderson, locking in the two young stars for an additional season beyond their initial rookie deals.

Why it matters

Retaining top draft picks is crucial for the Texans as they look to build a contending roster, but it also creates difficult decisions about which players to prioritize long-term as salary cap space becomes limited.

The details

Stroud, the Texans' first-round pick in 2024, has emerged as the team's franchise quarterback, while Anderson, a second-round selection in 2025, has developed into one of the league's most dynamic young wide receivers. Exercising the fifth-year options ensures the Texans will have both players under contract through the 2028 season, but the team must now determine if they will offer lucrative long-term extensions to keep the duo in Houston beyond that.

  • The Texans exercised the fifth-year options on April 6, 2026.
  • Stroud and Anderson were drafted by the Texans in 2024 and 2025 respectively.

The players

C.J. Stroud

The Texans' starting quarterback, selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Brandin Anderson

A wide receiver for the Texans, drafted in the second round in 2025.

Houston Texans

The NFL franchise based in Houston, Texas.

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What they’re saying

“Keeping our young core together is a top priority as we look to build a championship contender in Houston.”

— Nick Caserio, General Manager, Houston Texans

What’s next

The Texans will now have until the start of the 2027 league year to negotiate long-term contract extensions with Stroud and Anderson before they become free agents.

The takeaway

The Texans' ability to retain their top draft picks through fifth-year options demonstrates the team's commitment to building around a young, talented nucleus. However, the financial realities of the NFL will force tough decisions in the coming years as the Texans try to keep their core together.