Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud took the NFL by storm after he was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and becoming the youngest quarterback in NFL history to win a postseason game. While Stroud has exceeded expectations since entering the league, how much money is he making? Let’s examine his contract, 2024 salary, net worth, and more.
C.J. Stroud’s Contract and Salary
Stroud signed a rookie contract with the Texans worth $36,279,243 over four years, giving him an annual salary of just over $9 million. The deal was fully guaranteed and also included a $23,384,904 signing bonus.
In 2024, Stroud is earning a base salary of $915,000 and a roster bonus of just over $1.4 million. His cap hit is $8.24 million this year, and it will increase to $9.89 million and $11.54 million in 2025 and 2026, respectively.
Stroud is the 20th-highest-paid quarterback in the NFL; he’s earning roughly the same amount as Las Vegas Raiders QB Gardner Minshew ($8,000,000) and New England Patriots QB Jacoby Brissett ($8,000,000).
MORE: Who Are the NFL’s Highest-Paid Quarterbacks in 2024?
The Texans will have a fifth-year option on Stroud’s deal they can exercise down the line to add one year onto his deal. The value on that option, which will be fully guaranteed, will not be known until it’s able to be exercised.
To put Stroud’s rookie contract into perspective, Sam Bradford signed the largest rookie contract ever in 2010 when he inked a six-year deal worth $78 million, with $50 million guaranteed. However, since the NFL changed to rookie-scale contracts, these deals must be four years with a fifth-year option and there is a required salary floor and ceiling. Also, these rookie contracts cannot be restructured.
“A rookie contract for a drafted rookie may not be renegotiated, amended or altered in any way until after the final regular season game of the player’s third contract year,” according to Article 7 of the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Stroud’s Net Worth and Career Earnings
As his sophomore season comes to an end, Stroud has earned $26,533,961 from his NFL contracts alone.
This figure doesn’t include his endorsements, which include partnerships with brands like Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW), Express, Value City Furniture, Kane Footwear, Dr. Teal’s, and eFuse.
Stroud also did well for himself during his final year in college, earning $2.9 million from NIL deals, per On3.
Stroud recently revealed that the first big purchase he made with his NFL money was buying cars for his mother, sister, and brother.
“I’m more of a giver,” Stroud said. “So that was pretty cool and just to see them with their new rides having a good time with those. So that’s more of the pleasure that I got.”
Stroud’s net worth is estimated to be roughly $12 million. It’s safe to say that the sophomore quarterback is thriving — on and off the field.
Texans vs. Vikings Preseason Week 1 Preview
The Texans begin their 2025 NFL campaign with a preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. While the majority of starters for both teams are unlikely to play much in the preseason, it’s an excellent opportunity for younger players to make an impact.
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is under immense pressure to succeed Sam Darnold, and it starts right from his first snap in the preseason.
Stroud had one of the best rookie quarterback seasons in NFL history, and although it’s not McCarthy’s rookie season, he has yet to play in a regular-season game.
However, playmakers like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones will make things easier for the young quarterback.
Stroud has an uphill battle to climb in his third NFL season, as many of the Texans’ quarterback’s weapons are dealing with injuries, and there are still big question marks about the team’s offensive line.