So, what happens if the Houston Texans and C.J. Stroud can't get a deal done on a new extension before Week 1 rolls around?
Well, general manager Nick Caserio said on Tuesday after the finalization of the active roster that the two sides would discuss a deal further in the offseason. And yes, the offseason, so even if Stroud began to look like his old rookie form, the Texans would wait until after the Super Bowl to begin conversations if the two parties don't close the deal before next week's matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
Why?
“This is just my sense,” Caserio said of the conversations stalling once the season begins. “I could be wrong. We’ll keep working through it.
Nick Caserio on CJ Stroud extension talks:
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) September 1, 2026
“We’ve had productive discussions. The reality is we will either get it figured out before the season starts & if we don’t then it will be something we address in the offseason. Whenever it happens, it happens.” pic.twitter.com/PazweY2wiM
Stroud, who still has two years left on his current deal, is the only major name without a new contract entering 2027. The Texans focused primarily on extending their defensive stars, including All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr., Pro Bowlers Danielle Hunter and Azeez Al-Shaair, linebacker Henry To'oTo'o and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins.
Throughout the offseason, Stroud's camp has been in contact with Houston on negotiations for a long-term extension, but nothing seems imminent as training comes to a close. According to The Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander, the two sides are not far off on what they think Stroud’s contract terms should be in years, plus the actual annual salary.
But Caserio has been blunt since the first week of training camp back in July. He said there was a "possibility" that the two sides could reach a contract extension, but would likely end talks for now once the season began.
"I would say the reality is, we will either get it figured out before the season starts or if we don't, it's something we will address in the offseason," Caserio said. "Whenever it happens, it happens.”
The Texans would love for Stroud to return to 2023 rookie form, thus earning him top dollar on the market, but that season could be a one-and-done in the grand scheme of his career. Improvements from last season could elevate talks, though Stroud wouldn't receive top-end money like several other passers looking to get paid next offseason.
In 2025, he finished the regular season with 3,041 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions while missing three games with a concussion. He did help Houston reach the postseason for the third straight year, but he also tossed seven interceptions, including four in the divisional round loss to the New England Patriots.
On one hand, the Texans have a quarterback who's won more playoff games than any other passer in franchise history. Even though the defense is the backbone of the roster, Stroud has done enough to say he's been a factor in the postseason success.
In a glass-half-empty stance, Stroud wants to be among the highest-paid passers, but his postseason woes last winter likely don't warrant that conversation from even happening right now. No one is saying Stroud wants Patrick Mahomes-type money, but his play doesn't warrant that from being a reality.
Regardless, there seems to be a timeline on both sides to get a deal done and the clock continues to tick closer toward zero.
"Once players get into the season, sometimes they want to focus on football and don't want to worry about dealing with the contract. Maybe it's not as clean as some others," Caserio said. "We've done it both ways."
The Texans begin the new season at Reliant Stadium on Sept. 13.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans GM Nick Caserio won't negotiate extension with QB C.J. Stroud once 2026 season begins