Texans’ C.J. Stroud reports ‘in great shape, revved up, ready to go’ with right mindset

HOUSTON – C.J. Stroud walked into the Texans’ training facility early Monday morning, reporting for work with a serious look on his face while wearing an Astros baseball cap.

Hours later, the team released footage of Stroud running sprints with the same steadfast, locked-in look. Stroud also appeared to be in optimal condition, lean and moving fast.

Throughout the past few months, the Texans have repeatedly emphasized that the former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is locked in and focused on the task at hand.

After a rocky playoffs that included a career-high four interceptions in an AFC divisional round loss to the New England Patriots, Stroud is determined to deliver a season and postseason filled with winning performances.

Consider Texans coach DeMeco Ryans impressed with Stroud.

C.J., he shows up here, he’s looking like he’s in great shape," Ryans said as the Texans opened their annual offseason conditioning program. “He’s revved up. He’s ready to go. It all starts with your mindset, how you’re attacking the offseason. C.J. is going to attack it the right way, so I’m excited to see him continue to work, continue to grow as a player, as a leader.

“He’s eager to do that. It’ll be an exciting offseason for him just to be here putting in the work, continuing to put in the work because he’s been working. Right after the season he has been dedicated himself to working, doing things the right way. When you see a young man working the way he’s working, I know what that looks like on the other side and its only positive things that can come from that.”

The Texans exercised a $25.9 million fifth-year club option to secure Stroud through the 2027 season.

Although the Texans are not expected to engage with Stroud in long-term contract negotiations this year necessarily, they are expected to try to extend Stroud next offseason depending on how he does this season.

“I don’t really think that affects his future,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said. “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, 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.

“He’s been a good player, and won a lot of football games,” Caserio said. “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.

Since the playoffs, the Texans and Stroud have taken several steps to move on from the New England game.

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,” 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.”

Without getting into specifics about future plans, the McNair family made it clear how highly they value All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. in advance of his record-setting $150 million contract extension and Stroud.

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

A year from now, cornerback Kamari Lassiter and safety Calen Bullock will be eligible for extensions. Both were named Pro Bowl alternates after the 2025 season.

“It’s a good problem to have when you have so many guys you want to keep under contract,” Hannah McNair said. “If we keep drafting the way we do, this is going to be something we talk about every year.”

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