Steelers Should Make Call To Houston As CJ Stroud's Status With Team Is Questionable: "Be Prepared For That"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a similar spot to recent offseasons, only this time the organization has a new head coach and staff, which hopefully ushers in a new approach to things. One of the main weaknesses in recent years for Pittsburgh has been the quarterback position. Aaron Rodgers played well in 2025, but fans and the organization should want to find the quarterback of the future, which would break the trend of tracking down veterans to play quarterback for the franchise. Pittsburgh won't have many promising options in the 2026 NFL Draft, but there could be an interesting name available via trade.

There are a few quarterbacks around the league that are known to be available via trade. The notable names include Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa, but both of those players come with a large contract that isn't exactly tradable. A more reasonable trade option might be CJ Stroud of the Houston Texans, who has shown concerning levels of regression since his rookie year in 2023. NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay recently spoke on his podcast, The Todd McShay Show, about teams calling the Texans inquiring about Stroud.

"I'm told, don't be surprised if in the next couple of weeks there are some big-name QBs that are going to be targeted," McShay said. "CJ Stroud is one of them; does he need a change of scenery? Be prepared for that. Stroud hasn’t been the guy the last two years in Houston that he was in his rookie year. Some teams are looking at that and saying, 'Can we get that rookie year out of Stroud here?'"

Stroud had one of the best rookie seasons ever by a quarterback back in 2023. The Texans were expected to be one of the worst teams in the league, and he has led them to postseason victories in three consecutive seasons. However, the franchise has not been able to get past the Divisional Round. In 2025, Stroud was blamed for the loss as he threw four interceptions in the postseason matchup with the New England Patriots.

Stroud also had turnover issues against Pittsburgh in the Wild Card Round, and his overall play has regressed over the last two seasons as mentioned. The Texans have gone through their fair share of injuries and the offensive line play has not been great, but the franchise has been hoping for more out of its young quarterback.

McShay has heard from sources that quarterback needy teams will be calling about Stroud's availability via trade, and the Steelers should absolutely be one of the teams picking up the phone. He has one year remaining on his rookie deal, and his fifth-year option will likely be picked up which is projected to cost around $26 million. That means the Steelers could acquire a relatively cost controlled quarterback for the next two seasons, assuming the Texans would consider dealing him.

Pittsburgh has plenty of draft capital to consider getting rid of in 2026, including three projected third-round picks. The organization could also move on from future picks, although it is unclear how much it would cost to acquire Stroud from Houston.

Steelers' Mike McCarthy Might Be The Perfect Coach For CJ Stroud

McShay believes teams that would be interested in Stroud are the ones that think they could help Stroud return to his rookie form. Pittsburgh has reason to believe it can do that, thanks to new head coach, Mike McCarthy. McCarthy is known around the league for his background when it comes to working with and developing quarterbacks. He worked with a young Rodgers, as well as Brett Favre, Dak Prescott, and Joe Montana. If Pittsburgh can acquire some more weapons on offense, Stroud may be able to blossom in Pittsburgh.

A trade like this should always be considered a longshot, but it isn't out of the realm of possibility to think that Houston might want to move on from Stroud, especially with a reliable backup like Davis Mills on the roster.

Would you want to see Stroud in the black and gold?

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