Few roles in professional sports are as financially rewarding as starting NFL quarterback. Heading into the 2026 season, 12 quarterbacks are set to earn at least $50 million, with two crossing the $60 million threshold: Patrick Mahomes at $64 million and Dak Prescott at $60 million.
C.J. Stroud, however, is not part of that group — even though the Houston Texans reportedly tried to put him there. The Texans are said to have offered Stroud a contract worth roughly $50 million per year, but the young quarterback turned it down. Barring a change, he is expected to play the 2026 season under his rookie contract.
That decision comes with a short-term cost. Stroud’s rookie deal pays him about $5.7 million for the 2026 season, a fraction of the annual salary Houston reportedly placed in front of him. Still, by waiting, Stroud appears to be betting that the quarterback market will climb even higher.
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There is reason to believe that gamble could pay off. NFL quarterback contracts have continued to rise, and Stroud still has time on his side. He remains under contract for two more seasons: $5.7 million in 2026, followed by a $25.3 million team option for 2027.
That structure gives the Texans some control over the timeline. If Stroud delivers another strong season, Houston could revisit extension talks next summer. The team could also choose to let him play out the fifth-year option in 2027 before making a longer-term commitment.
Stroud may not feel pressured to sign next offseason, either. One possible reason: Lamar Jackson. The Baltimore Ravens quarterback is playing on a five-year, $260 million contract that runs through the end of the 2027 season. Jackson, already a two-time NFL MVP, could reset the quarterback market if he stays healthy and remains among the league’s elite passers. A new deal for Jackson could push well beyond $60 million per year and perhaps move closer to $70 million annually.
Stroud, of course, has not yet built the same résumé as Jackson. He has not won an MVP award, and the Texans have advanced only as far as the AFC Divisional Round. Jackson, meanwhile, led the Ravens to the AFC Championship Game during the 2023 season.
But in a league where success can be fleeting, Stroud has been a model of consistency since the Texans selected him second in the 2023 draft. He’s won over 60% of his games and has 62 touchdowns versus 25 interceptions over his career, a 2.48 TD-to-INT ratio. The Texans have won the AFC South and reached the playoffs each season with Stroud under center.
If he takes a significant step back this upcoming year, turning down $50 million a year will look like a silly move in retrospect. However, if Stroud continues producing like a solid NFL quarterback, or jumps to an even higher level, he’ll likely be adding millions more to his bank account in a year or two.
