The quarterback market rarely stays confined to free agency. As teams evaluate their options ahead of the upcoming NFL draft, conversations often extend to names already under contract. Especially when the available free agent market lacks proven starters, and other starters around the league could maybe use a change of scenery.
Todd McShay Says Teams Could Target Established QBs, Mentions C.J. Stroud by Name
On a recent episode of The McShay Show, NFL draft analyst Todd McShay said he expects aggressive movement at quarterback in the coming weeks, including inquiries into players currently with teams.
“I’m told, don’t be surprised the next couple weeks, as we get closer and closer to free agency, there’s going to be some big-name quarterbacks that are currently in destinations that have contracts that are going to be targeted,” McShay said. “Teams are going to be aggressive.”
McShay then identified Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud as one of the names drawing attention.
“CJ Stroud is one of them,” McShay added. “CJ Stroud’s a name. Does he need a new scenery?”
He framed the discussion as part of a broader league conversation rather than a confirmation of active negotiations.
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“Can we just solve it with someone that’s a proven commodity or that we think that we could do better with, like a Stroud, here than maybe he’s doing in Houston?” McShay said. “Because clearly something’s going on. I don’t know if it’s Houston-related or interpersonal-related or whatever it is. Stroud hasn’t been the guy the last two years in Houston that he was his rookie year,” he added.
Stroud started 14 games during the 2025 regular season, completing 273 of 423 passes for 3,041 yards. He posted a 64.5% completion rate, averaged 7.2 yards per attempt, and threw 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions. He ranked 19th in PFSN’s QBi Metric.
C.J. Stroud Coming Off Terrible Playoff Performance
The postseason amplified scrutiny. In Houston’s 28-16 Divisional Round loss to the New England Patriots, Stroud threw a career-high four interceptions, all in the first half. He finished 20-of-47 for 212 yards and one touchdown with a career-low 28.0 passer rating. One interception was returned for a touchdown.
In an AFC that was clearly wide open, Stroud failed to break through, instead struggling against both Pittsburgh and New England.
He ended the postseason with two touchdown passes against seven total turnovers, including five interceptions and two lost fumbles. Houston is now 0-7 all-time in the Divisional Round, including 0-3 under the DeMeco Ryans-Stroud pairing.
Stroud remains under contract on his rookie deal, and the Texans have not indicated that he is available. McShay’s comments reflect broader offseason evaluation trends as teams weigh whether to pursue established starters rather than rely solely on the draft or free agency.
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As the league calendar advances and the draft nears, quarterback conversations are expanding beyond the obvious names. Even former Offensive Rookies of the Year are not immune to becoming available.
