3 Teams That Could Look Into Acquiring C.J. Stroud

When it came to the 2025 NFL Playoffs, perhaps nobody had a more disappointing performance than C.J. Stroud. While the Texans were able to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round, thanks in large part to an unbelievable performance by their defense, Stroud was far from mistake-free, throwing an interception in the red zone and fumbling five times, losing two of them. 

The real disaster occurred in the Divisional Round against the New England Patriots, as Stroud threw four interceptions, all in the first half, with several other turnover-worthy plays as the game went along. There has been plenty of negative publicity surrounding Stroud since that performance, along with speculation that the Houston Texans could be willing to move off him for the right price, despite the promise he has shown early in his career. 

Should the Texans sell low on Stroud? Absolutely not. But if trading him is something they truly are considering, here are three teams that should jump at the opportunity to acquire the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year. 

New York Jets 

The New York Jets have invested a significant amount of capital into the quarterback position over the past decade. From spending top-three picks on Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson, to trading for four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, to taking a flier on former first-round pick Justin Fields, the Jets have had no luck finding long-term stability at the position. 

After trading several of their top defensive players, improving that unit should be a major focus this offseason, especially with picks No. 2 and No. 16. In a weak quarterback class, using one of those selections, or packaging assets, to acquire a proven young quarterback could accelerate their rebuild. 

There were some bright spots offensively in 2025. Their offensive line ranked inside the top 10, Breece Hall rushed for 1,000 yards for the first time in his career, and Garrett Wilson remained productive despite an injury-riddled season. Adding Stroud would immediately raise the ceiling of this offense and provide something the Jets have lacked for years: stability. 

For a franchise that has endured a quarterback carousel for over a decade, acquiring a 24-year-old with three playoff wins and a top-10 MVP finish is something they should seriously explore. 

Pittsburgh Steelers 

The Pittsburgh Steelers have also struggled to stabilize the quarterback position since Ben Roethlisberger retired. Over the past few seasons, they’ve cycled through multiple starters in search of consistency. 

In 2025, Aaron Rodgers was solid, throwing 24 touchdowns to just seven interceptions while leading Pittsburgh to an AFC North title. However, with questions surrounding Rodgers’ long-term future, the Steelers could look to secure a younger option with proven success.  Head coach Mike McCarthy has a track record of working effectively with quarterbacks and helping them reach another level. Pairing Stroud with weapons like D.K. Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth, and a strong run game could create an ideal environment for sustained success. If Pittsburgh wants to remain competitive beyond the short term, acquiring a young, playoff-tested quarterback would make plenty of sense. 

Minnesota Vikings 

The Minnesota Vikings entered 2025 believing they could compete immediately, but inconsistency at quarterback proved costly. J.J. McCarthy struggled in his first season as a starter, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns while averaging roughly 160 passing yards per game. 

On a roster built to win now, that level of production simply isn’t enough. With elite weapons such as Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Addison, Minnesota needs a quarterback capable of consistently pushing the ball downfield. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has earned a reputation for maximizing quarterback talent, and a player like Stroud could thrive in that system. 

If the Vikings believe their championship window is open, exploring an opportunity to acquire a proven young quarterback would be a logical move. 

Final Thoughts 

It remains unclear whether Houston is seriously considering going in a different direction at quarterback or if the speculation is simply a reaction to one disastrous playoff outing. What is clear, however, is that Stroud has already proven he can be a highly effective NFL quarterback. 

At just 24 years old, with playoff success and high-level production early in his career, he represents the kind of foundational piece teams spend years searching for. If Houston were ever to entertain trade offers, franchises that have struggled to find long-term answers under center should not hesitate to pick up the phone.