At the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio dismissed speculation about trading quarterback C.J. Stroud, calling the rumors “moronic.” Caserio emphasized the organization’s firm commitment to Stroud, the team’s third-year quarterback and 2023 No. 2 overall draft pick.
We are not trading the guy. He’s our quarterback,
Caserio said Tuesday.
He’s going to be playing quarterback for the Houston Texans in 2026.
Stroud’s Performance and the Source of Trade Speculation
Trade talks emerged after Stroud’s difficult playoff performance, which included seven total turnovers and a four-interception game against the New England Patriots in a 28-16 divisional round loss. Despite this, Stroud completed his third NFL season with 19 touchdown passes, a 64.5% completion rate, 3,041 passing yards, and eight interceptions across 14 games.
The Ohio State standout missed three games due to a concussion sustained during Week 9 versus the Denver Broncos. Although eligible for a contract extension, Caserio has so far offered no indication regarding the team’s intentions on negotiating a new deal.
Comparing Stroud’s Rookie Year to His Most Recent Season
While Stroud helped the Texans finish 9-5 in games he started during the regular season, his recent production fell short of the exceptional standards he set as a rookie. In 2023, Stroud became only the fifth rookie quarterback in NFL history to exceed 4,000 yards passing in a single season and was the first Ohio State quarterback selected to the Pro Bowl. He also led the league with a 23-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
There has been ongoing discussion about how to restore the high level of performance Stroud demonstrated during his rookie campaign, but Caserio reiterated that the Texans are dedicated to supporting Stroud’s development rather than entertaining trade offers.
He’s been a good player and won a lot of football games,
Caserio stated.
Quarterback is the hardest position to play in sports. He had some ups and downs — that’s natural for a position, but overall, he’s had a pretty significant impact on what we are as a program. … He’s not going anywhere.
Implications for the Texans Moving Forward
By dispelling trade rumors firmly, Caserio underlined the Texans’ confidence in Stroud as a foundational piece of their roster. With coach DeMeco Ryans entering his fourth year and already exceeding expectations, the team appears focused on building around Stroud’s potential to elevate the Texans in coming seasons. As the offseason progresses, watch for Houston’s strategy to center on improving and extending their young quarterback rather than seeking outside options amid a tough market for signal-callers.
