After an extremely underwhelming third-year campaign and a disappointing end to their 2025-26 season, C.J. Stroud’s long-term future with the franchise is in serious question. As contract extension talks near, an NFL Insider reveals an update that could majorly swing Houston’s upcoming decision.
Albert Breer Shares Insight into C.J. Stroud’s Potential Extension
On Thursday, April 9, NFL Insider and reporter for Sports Illustrated, Albert Breer, hosted a mailbag, answering questions about trending topics this NFL Offseason. When asked about the possibility of Stroud signing a contract extension or being forced to earn it by playing on the fifth-year option in 2027, Breer offered an intriguing response.
“Stay tuned on this. Will Anderson Jr. could get $50 million per year on a new deal, and it’ll be interesting to see how that might affect Stroud’s approach,” Breer said. “It wouldn’t stun me if they just pick up his fifth-year option and let him play out the 2026 season.”
According to Spotrac, Green Bay’s Micah Parsons is currently the leader among edge rushers in annual salary, at $46.5 million. Following the Packers star is Lions Aidan Hutchinson, earning $45 million per year, and Steelers T.J. Watt, at $41 million per year.
Anderson’s teammate, Danielle Hunter, slots in at fourth, earning $40.1 million, while the reigning defensive player of the year and single-season sack recorder, Myles Garrett, rounds out the top five, making $40 million annually.
Anderson, 24, could negotiate his way to a never-before-seen figure. The former top-three overall pick has already been selected to two Pro Bowls and honored to the All-Pro first team. Additionally, he claimed the defensive rookie of the year in 2023 and recorded 11 or more sacks and 16 or more tackles for loss in each of the past two seasons.
According to PFSN’s EDGE Impact Metric, the Texans’ star recorded a 93.3 impact score, earning an A grade, and placing third among all edge rushers. All things considered, if any defensive player were to see a deal in the range of $50 million, Anderson would likely be at the top of that list.
Meanwhile, as Breer noted, Anderson’s potential extension could have a significant impact on Stroud. Depending on who you ask, a Stroud extension could land anywhere from $30 million to $55 million per year.
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The Texans, already tasked with paying Anderson, can afford to pay only so much to two players. In all likelihood, Houston will start Stroud in 2026 and expect him to play on his fifth-year option in 2027. This would give the franchise more time to decide whether he’s truly worth a lucrative salary.
The situation will most certainly be worth monitoring as the NFL Draft nears and the Texans soon decide on both the future of Anderson and Stroud.
