C.J. Stroud on his contract: I'm focused on ball, holding down my end of the bargain

Texans General Manager Nick Caserio told reporters on Wednesday that the team and quarterback C.J. Stroud have had “productive conversations” on a second contract for the young quarterback.

For his part, Stroud said he’s focused on what he can do on the field while his representation handles the negotiation.

“I think everything has been great,” Stroud said in his Wednesday press conference, via transcript from the team. “I’m focused on ball. I’m trying to hold my end of the bargain down on just the football side and do what I can and what I should be doing as the quarterback of this team. I’m letting them handle it, and seems like everything is going great.”

Stroud said he’s not imposing a deadline on when negotiations must end, noting he’s leaving that to his agent.

While there could be some unwanted pressure on a player seeking a new deal, that’s not how Stroud sees it.

“I think pressure is part of my job,” Stroud said. “That’s just something I think is part of the gig and something that I’m not naive to, but I’ve learned you have to keep the main thing the main thing. You have to just focus on one day at a time, one play and the football is what’s gotten me to even have the conversation, to be able to get a second contract. I have to focus on football.”

Stroud feels like if he does that, the contract will take care of itself.

“What I’ve done is what I’ve done on the field and what I will do, we’ll see,” Stroud said. “I think I’ve had some success and I think I’ll continue to have success as a quarterback in this league.

“I’m excited for the future and to pass all the contracts stuff, I love playing football.”

Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 draft, is under contract through 2027 after the Texans exercised his fifth-year option in the spring.

In his 46 career games, Stroud has completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 10,876 yards with 62 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. Last season, Stroud completed 64.5 percent of his throws for 3,041 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight picks in 14 games.