Houston Texans GM brands C.J. Stroud trade speculation ‘moronic’
Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio has emphatically dismissed speculation regarding a potential trade of quarterback C.J. Stroud as “moronic” and confirmed the player remains central to the franchise’s future.
Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Caserio rejected suggestions that the team might move on from their signal-caller following a challenging postseason.
“We are not trading the guy. He’s our quarterback,” Caserio stated.
“He’s going to be playing quarterback for the Houston Texans in 2026.”
Playoff struggles spark rumours
Discussions surrounding Stroud’s future intensified online following a difficult end to his third campaign in the league.
The 2023 number two overall draft pick endured a seven-turnover playoff run, culminating in a four-interception performance during a 28-16 divisional round defeat by the New England Patriots.
Stroud also missed three matches earlier in the season due to a concussion sustained against the Denver Broncos in Week 9.
Despite guiding the Texans to a 9-5 record in his regular-season starts, the former Ohio State standout saw his production dip compared to his debut year.
During that rookie season, he became just the fifth first-year player to surpass 4,000 passing yards and led the NFL with a superior touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Commitment to the future
In his most recent campaign, the quarterback recorded 19 touchdowns and 3,041 passing yards across 14 appearances.
Although Stroud is now eligible for a contract extension, Caserio offered no specifics regarding potential negotiations.
However, the general manager made it clear that the organisation is focused on helping the passer recapture his best form rather than exploring alternative options.
“He’s been a good player and won a lot of football games,” Caserio added.
“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.”
Caserio concluded with a definitive message regarding Stroud’s status: “He’s not going anywhere.”