Steelers Star Warns Texans Against Giving Up on C.J. Stroud

Cameron Heyward cautions Houston against moving on from their young QB despite recent struggles

Apr. 19, 2026 at 12:25pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football quarterback in the midst of throwing a pass, with the player's body and the ball broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color.Heyward's warning to the Texans underscores the delicate balance between building a championship-caliber defense and maintaining stability at quarterback.Houston Today

Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Cameron Heyward has urged the Houston Texans not to give up on quarterback C.J. Stroud, despite the team's recent extension of star pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. Heyward warned that moving on from Stroud too quickly could leave the Texans in a 'state of uncertainty for years to come'.

Why it matters

The Texans' decision to extend Anderson, a non-quarterback, for $50 million per year before locking up Stroud has raised questions about the team's long-term plans at the quarterback position. Heyward's comments suggest the Texans should remain patient with their 2023 second overall pick, who has led the team to the playoffs in each of his first three seasons.

The details

Stroud, 23, was the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and immediately stepped in as the Texans' starting quarterback. He led the team to a division title and a playoff win in his rookie season, becoming the youngest QB to win a postseason game. However, his production has declined over the past two seasons, including a four-interception performance in last year's Divisional Round loss. Despite this, Heyward believes the Texans should 'continue to just keep building around' Stroud rather than considering a change at the position.

  • Stroud was drafted 2nd overall by the Texans in 2023.
  • Stroud led the Texans to the playoffs in each of his first 3 seasons.
  • The Texans recently signed pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. to a 3-year, $150 million extension.

The players

C.J. Stroud

The Texans' starting quarterback since being drafted 2nd overall in 2023, leading the team to the playoffs in each of his first 3 seasons.

Will Anderson Jr.

A star pass rusher who the Texans recently signed to a 3-year, $150 million contract extension.

Cameron Heyward

A 7-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers who has cautioned the Texans against moving on from Stroud too quickly.

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What they’re saying

“I'm just gonna say it, because it's one thing to have a quarterback. It's another thing to not and if you don't have a quarterback in this league, you are going to be fighting uphill, and you're going to be stuck in a state of uncertainty for years to come.”

— Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Lineman

What’s next

The Texans have already picked up Stroud's fifth-year option, keeping him under contract through the 2027 season, so they have time to evaluate his long-term future with the team.

The takeaway

Heyward's comments suggest the Texans should remain patient with Stroud despite his recent struggles, as moving on from a young quarterback too quickly can leave a team in a prolonged state of uncertainty at the position. The Texans' decision to extend Anderson before Stroud has raised questions, but they appear committed to building around their 2023 second overall pick for the foreseeable future.