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C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans greets fans before a game against the Arizona Cardinals.
There has been increasing discussion about Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud potentially becoming available for a trade, but the notion has proven so far to be nothing more than speculation.
Still, as the chatter increases, reactions do as well, and fans and media alike have taken to the idea that Stroud could be on the move, including one fueling the other.
Heading into the 2026 offseason, it is just another layer added to the situation.
C.J. Stroud Expected to Garner Trade Interest
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans warms up before a game against the Carolina Panthers.
Stroud is coming off a rough postseason, and he is extension-eligible this offseason, which is the basis for all of the speculation around him. McShay commented on the situation, noting Stroud could have teams calling about a trade.
“Don’t be surprised, in the next couple of weeks, as we get closer and closer to free agency, there’s going to be some big-name quarterbacks that are currently in destinations, that have contracts, that are going to be targeted. Teams are going to be aggressive. C.J. [Stroud] is one of them,” ESPN’s Todd McShay said on “The McShay Show” on February 16.
“Does he need a new scenery?”
McShay also named Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow, calling him a “long shot,” but the mention underscores a key point about the comments overall.
McShay was simply rattling off QBs that could appeal to teams amid a light 2027 draft class, not those whose teams were looking to move on. It is a subject that Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer recently broached in light of Stroud’s postseason play and looming contract situation.
“If Stroud’s contract negotiations get sticky, or the Texans prefer to punt them to next year … will there be friction? Could that impact the Texans’ offseason? Might someone swoop in to see if they could pry the wildly talented 24-year-old away?” Breer wrote on February 9. “These are questions other teams have certainly asked, as Stroud’s gone through his ups and downs.”
That is a far cry from the Texans shopping Stroud, and the difference sparked a discussion.
The Texans have Stroud’s fifth-year option and up to three years of franchise tags–which will be expensive–as available options if they are hesitant about extending Stroud long-term.
Texans Trade Chatter Draws Pushback
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans greets fans before a game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Stroud’s performance has dipped over the past two seasons since his award-winning rookie campaign. He still has many believers among Texans Nation. Moreover, many of them pointed out the flaws in speculation following McShay’s remarks.
“Locked On Cowboys” host Marcus Mosher considered McShay’s comments as Stroud being a “trade candidate” and “fascinating, later citing the QB’s low Pro Football Focus grades.
“The Bullpen: A Houston Texans Podcast” host James Roy took issue with the framing.
“Stroud was far from the 31st ranked QB in the league overall,” Roy posted, quoting Mosher. “Using PFF without checking it by the eye test (among other factors) is non-ball knower behavior and, even worse, aggregator behavior in this context.”
Few in the Texans’ media orbit bought into the idea that Stroud was a candidate instead of a target. Several members noted the ridiculous nature of the suggestion.
Former Houston Chronicle journalist John McClain posted, “These stories about CJ Stroud possibly being traded just blow me away. He ain’t getting traded. Davis Mills ain’t getting promoted to replace him. Let’s keep track of these tweets and post them right before camp begins for accountability purposes.”
Brian “Big Sarge” Barfield echoed those sentiments, saying, “The sports news cycle is very slow…These BS C.J. Stroud stories are fake and trash…What have I always told yall…Those who can’t create content creates confusion…”
“Yet to see any compelling rationale from the national media about how a C.J Stroud trade would move the Houston Texans closer to the Super Bowl,” Texans Wire’s John Crumpler said.
“But, sure, trade discussions! Why not!”
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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