The Houston Texans have exercised the 2027 fifth-year options on quarterback C.J. Stroud and edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., according to ESPN. Stroud will earn $25.904 million in 2026, while Anderson is set for $21.512 million that season. Both players remain eligible for offseason extensions.
Houston invested its top picks from the 2023 NFL Draft on Stroud, selected second overall, and Anderson, taken third after the Texans traded up. The team secured both for an additional year under their rookie contracts, a standard move for first-round selections that provides cost-controlled talent through 2027. Negotiations for long-term deals can still occur this offseason, as the players enter their fourth NFL seasons. Stroud earned Offensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl nod in 2023, while Anderson claimed Defensive Rookie of the Year, a Pro Bowl selection that year, and All-Pro honors last season. Over three years, Stroud has started 46 games with a 28-18 record, completing 63.8% of passes for 10,876 yards, 62 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions. He missed three games last season due to a concussion but went 9-5 in 14 starts with 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Anderson started all 17 games last year, posting career highs of 54 combined tackles, 35 solo stops, 12 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two recoveries, and one returned for a touchdown. In the playoffs, his 3.5 sacks and three forced fumbles paced the league. Across 46 games with 44 starts, he has 136 combined tackles, 91 solo, 30 sacks, 46 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and three recoveries. The Texans reached the playoffs in all three seasons featuring this duo but have not advanced beyond the divisional round.