As the Houston Texans used their bye week to fix any problems the team is looking to clear up amidst a 2-5 start to the season, there is a conversation around quarterback C.J. Stroud and his contract situation. While rumors will continue to surround the Texans, two NFL insiders look into the type of extension Stroud could earn himself in the offseason.

So far, Stroud has impressed after some regression in past years, throwing for 1,867 yards with 11 touchdowns and one interception. ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime and Jeremy Fowler reported that Houston offered Stroud a contract before the season started in the range of “well within the $50 million-per-year club.”

However, with Stroud wanting to play out his rookie deal, it comes in part from wanting to prove himself and what could also be an “exploding market in 2027.” Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams, Washington Commanders' Jayden Daniels, and New England Patriots' Drake Maye are also up for new deals, with even Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson entering the final year of his contract.

When it comes to the prospect of Stroud earning around a $70 million-per-year deal, it could be “promising.”

“Stroud, to his credit, has three playoff wins, all in the wild-card round,” Bien-Aime and Fowler wrote. “The more Stroud delivers, the higher his price climbs. One industry source projects that the quarterbacks named above could push the $70 million-per-year threshold. Stroud's place in that tier is looking promising.”

Texans' C.J. Stroud expected to be “making himself a lot of money”

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An AFC executive cited would say to ESPN that Stroud will be “making himself a lot of money,” especially if the Texans go on a run and make the playoffs.

“After up-and-down production the past two seasons, the tenor around Stroud's perception changed a bit. But this season, Stroud has held up his end of the bargain,” Bien-Aime and Fowler wrote.

At any rate, it remains to be seen what type of contract Stroud will get, as the focus is on leading Houston to wins; the next game is on Sunday afternoon against the Los Angeles Chargers, as the team is second in the AFC South.