Texans launch offseason workout program Monday, C.J. Stroud, Tank Dell among the participants

HOUSTON – This shapes up as a pivotal year for Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, and wide receiver Tank Dell.

The Texans exercised a $25.9 million fifth-year club option for Stroud, a former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, instead of a long-term contract extension at this time.

The Texans like what Stroud is doing this offseason in terms of work ethic and attitude., And principal owner, chairman and CEO Cal McNair said during the NFL owners meetings that he envisions the former Pro Bowl passer being with the team for a “long, long time” along with All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr, who signed a three-year, $150 million extension to become the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

Stroud reported for the Texans’ first day of their offseason conditioning program Monday along with his teammates with heavy attendance for the voluntary workout sessions.

“I don’t really think that affects his future,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said last week when asked about utilizing the fifth-year option. “He’s our quarterback. We’ve said that from the beginning. I think that was really more of a procedural thing. I don’t want to say it was a no-brainer, but it was kind of a no-brainer, so we’re glad he’s here.

“Again, it’s more of a part of the process. So, we’re excited about his offseason. I think he’s had a good approach, had a good attitude here. I think he’s put a lot of work in from March and April. I’m so excited to have him around here in the spring and I’m excited to keep moving forward.”

Previously at the NFL scouting combine in February, Caserio threw cold water on unfounded trade speculation surrounding Stroud.

Stroud was named in trade rumors previously dismissed by KPRC 2 as completely unfounded. Stroud will remain the Texans’ QB1 going forward.

While the Texans aren’t engaging in contract negotiations at this time, they can shift that approach anytime. Ideally, they would be happy to reward Stroud provided he proves himself this season after being intercepted a career-high four times in an AFC divisional round loss to the New England Patriots.

“It’s moronic,” Caserio said in response to a question from KPRC 2. “We’re not trading him. He’s our quarterback. He’s going to be playing quarterback for the Houston Texans in 2026. Anything beyond that, you guys can speculate on that, but we’re not trading C.J. Stroud.”

Stroud has been the subject of heavy criticism since that game. However, the organization has had his back. It was an uncharacteristically sloppy performance from Stroud, who completed 64.5 percent of his throws as he passed for 3,041 yards, 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions while missing three games due to a concussion.

A former Pro Bowl selection who declined an alternate invitation to the Pro Bowl this year, Stroud has passed for 10,876 yards, 62 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in three NFL seasons. Stroud led the NFL in touchdown to interception ratio with a 23:5 clip as a rookie, passing for 4,108 yards.

The steps include adjusting his offseason approach, improving the supporting cast on offense, and making a coaching change. Jerry Schuplinski has been named quarterbacks coach, replacing Jerrod Johnson.

“C.J. is a young quarterback,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said during NFL meetings at the Arizona Biltmore. “Being early in his career, he’s gained a ton of valuable experience, including in the playoffs. It hasn’t gone as we would like it to there. You always want to win it all.

“But when you go through those difficult moments, those tough times, you learn from them. I know C.J. has learned from those moments. Now, we’ve got to go out and improve and show it on the field. The way he’s attacked the offseason, working hard, throwing every day, staying dialed in. I’m excited to see how that translates into a really great year for us.”

“We’ll let DeMeco and Nick make the football decisions there, but they’re exciting, really good young players,” Cal McNair said at the owners meetings in Phoenix. “We hope to have them around for a long, long time.”

Meanwhile, wide receiver Tank Dell continued his comeback path Monday as he participated in the offseason workouts.

Dell is making a strong recovery from a dislocated knee and torn anterior cruciate, medical collateral and lateral collateral ligaments. After undergoing two surgeries performed by Dr. James Andrews and missing the entire season last year, after getting hurt in December 2024 while catching a touchdown pass against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, Dell is making tangible progress.

Ryans addressed Dell’s medical outlook during the NFL owners meetings and emphasized that the former University of Houston star won’t be rushed back into organized team activity practice sessions.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio said last week that the team will evaluate where Dell stands after spring workouts to determine his activity level at training camp. He was noncommittal on a timeline.

“With Tank, honestly, it’s probably a day-to-day, we’ll kind of see where he is,” Caserio said. “Probably have a better idea as we get through the spring of what his availability is going to be in training camp. He’s been here pretty religiously, since he’s been able to do more once he’s gotten out of the rehab stage.”

Dell has fought through all of the doubt and frustration of an injury that interrupted the dynamic start to his NFL career, leaning on faith, hard work, family, friends and coaches like Ryans to remain positive and optimistic.

Dell called it the hardest year of his life.

The Texans are optimistic about Dell’s medical outlook, but aren’t rushing the process. Dell has posted several workout videos showing himself cutting and catching passes and lifting weights as he works his way back from the injury.

The Texans do expect Dell to participate in the offseason conditioning program.

“Tank, he’s grinding, great attitude,” Ryan said during the NFL meetings at the Arizona Biltmore. “Don’t know if OTA’s he’ll be there, but I know he’ll back for us at some point this year. As I told Tank, it’s not a matter of getting back to OTA’s just to get back, it’s just a matter of getting back in a really good spot physically to where you stay there.

“That’s the main thing. It’s not about how quickly he returns. It’s just about Tank returning because we saw what Tank can do: the playmaking that he provides to our entire team. Just getting him back, whenever that time is, it’s going to lift our team.”

Dell is looking forward to making a healthy return and get back to playing the game he loves.

“What I’ve been through is something that taught me to be humble and just keep working, I’m back, I’m feeling good right now,” Dell said hosting a shopping spree at Academy Sports and Outdoors for athletes from Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston in honor of National Women’s and Girls Sports Day. “Once the season comes, I’m gonna cook up.”

Running free, catching touchdown passes, bolting past coverage.

That’s the vision for Dell. The comeback trail is being paved month by month for Dell as he continues to strengthen his surgically repaired knee after a devastating knee injury a year ago that sidelined him for the entire season.

Dell tried to make a return for the end of the season as the Texans made another playoff run that ended in the divisional round, but it was regarded as too soon for him to get back out there.

“I was making a push, I wanted to be out there with the guys,” Dell said. “Last year, that football season alone, was the hardest year of my life. Just sitting out of football for a year straight. Been playing football since I was five and that was my first year I ever had to sit out of football so that was hard. I tried to make a push back, it didn’t go as planned. I got time now and I’ll be ready.”

Stroud was the subject of heavy criticism locally and nationally and on social media with lots of cruel jokes and commentary surrounding one of the most successful young quarterbacks in the league.

“In every way possible, like he was there for me,” Dell said of his support for Stroud. “People can say what they want about seven, you know. They sitting on the couches just typing on the computer, typing on their phones. But everybody knows who Seven is.

“Especially in the facility, we know who he is. And when we get back out there with him, it’s going to be special. So, we can let them say what they want about him.”

Dell switched to his college jersey: No. 1

“You all know the connection we have and I know he’s getting his No. 1 back, so he’s happy about that,” Stroud said. “I’m happy for him to get Uno back. So, we’re going to be coming back trim and I can’t wait to get my brother back on the field. I think our connection, hopefully our chemistry picks right back up where we left off.”

NOTE: Tight end Cade Stover, who avoided needing knee surgery this offseason, after getting hurt against the Patriots in the playoffs, is participating in the offseason program.

Stover has made a full recovery from the knee injury and a hernia. He had surgery to repair a broken foot suffered in the first game last season, making a healthy return.

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com