Texans QB C.J. Stroud On Potential Extension: 'I've Held My Bargain Up'

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud can sling it, but the results have been a mixed bag over three years, with roaring highs and concerning lows. Now, it's decision time, as Stroud is extension-eligible. What are the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year's thoughts on the matter? "I let my agent handle that [extension talks]. If it's time to do it, then it is. My job is football. That's what I'm focused on, just getting better. I think I've held my bargain up," Stroud said at the Texans' OTAs on Thursday, according to ESPN. "Whatever happens, happens." In the aforementioned 2023 campaign, which also saw Stroud earn a Pro Bowl nod, he totaled 4,108 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, five interceptions and a 100.8 passer rating (sixth among NFL quarterbacks) across 15 regular-season games, while completing 63.9% of his passes (22nd) in a year that saw Houston win the AFC South at 10-7 and make the playoffs for the first time since 2019; they defeated the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round before losing to the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round. Stroud & Co. followed up 2023 with another 10-win season, a division title and a wild-card round victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024. At the same time, they were again eliminated in the divisional round, this time by the Kansas City Chiefs. In the regular season, Stroud threw for 3,727 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while posting an 87.0 passer rating (25th) and completing 63.2% of his passes (27th). Then, last season, Stroud posted 3,041 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, eight interceptions and a 92.9 passer rating (17th) across 14 regular-season games, while completing 64.5% of his passes (20th). Houston won the AFC South and reached the divisional round for a third consecutive season, going 12-5. However, the Texans were also eliminated in the divisional round for a third consecutive season, with Stroud throwing four interceptions against the New England Patriots in the season-ending loss. "I am a motivated person regardless. Of course, [the playoff struggle] helps," Stroud said. "I have learned to let failures and successes go quickly." Regardless of one's view of Stroud, he's likely to become a top-10, if not top-five paid quarterback given the contracts that a handful of signal-callers who are arguably in the same ballpark as him from a sheer pedigree standpoint have received; Trevor Lawrence and Jordan Love are in a four-way tie with Josh Allen and Joe Burrow for being the second-highest paid quarterback in the sport with a $55 million average annual value in their respective contracts; Brock Purdy and Jared Goff are tied for sixth among quarterbacks with a $53 million average annual value in their respective deals. The Texans selected Stroud with the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Ohio State; they exercised his fifth-year option for 2027 in April.

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/GMouQs8

Nick Bosa Expects to Be 'On Track' for 49ers Season Opener Following Knee Surgery

Nick Bosa is encouraged by the pace of his recovery from another major knee surgery and believes he's on track to return to the field during training camp and start the season on time for the San Francisco 49ers. That wasn't always the case for the star edge rusher in the early days after he had his third major knee injury of his career when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in Week 3 last season. "It was rough early on, obviously," Bosa said Thursday in his first news conference since the injury last September. "You just want to be able to play, especially how good things were going for the defense and me personally. I felt I was at a pretty high level to start the year. Then as you start out wanting to quit, never play again and never put your body in that position again. Then slowly you realize that you love this game and you want to get back to it. I never doubted that I could get back to where I am." The reports so far on Bosa's recovery have been positive and he is on target to be back on the field this summer. Bosa said his previous experiences with this type of injury helped him during the rehabilitation process. He said he did a better job not rushing the recovery, knowing he had more than 11 months between the injury and the start of the 2026 season. "When I did it in ’20, it was just like ... get back, push every milestone as hard as you possibly can," Bosa said. "I probably dealt with some stuff that I didn’t need to deal with in terms of just kind of the bumps in the road of recovery. Now, I’m taking it slow and I kind of have references to go back and look at." Bosa's return will be a key help for a 49ers defense that ranked last in the NFL last season with 20 sacks. Bosa has had at least nine sacks in the five seasons when he didn't get hurt in the opening month as he has been one of the most productive edge rushers ever since being drafted second overall in 2019. Bosa has made the Pro Bowl in all five of his healthy seasons and won the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022, when he led the league with 18 1/2 sacks. Bosa’s 74 1/2 sacks in the regular season and playoffs are the fifth-most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2019 despite missing nearly two full seasons. His 280 total pressures rank fourth-most in the NFL in that span, according to Sportradar. No Bosa brother reunion Bosa didn't seem optimistic about a possible reunion with his older brother, Joey, who remains unsigned after playing last season in Buffalo. "I think he’s working on his golf game right now, so I don’t think he is thinking too much about football," Nick Bosa said. Joey Bosa turns 31 in July and is coming off a season when he had five sacks in 15 games for the Bills. While the 49ers could use more juice at pass rush, adding Bosa doesn't seem to be a likely option at this point. "I look at our team as kind of we have our team and anyone else that we can figure out to bring, especially someone like that, that’d be awesome," coach Kyle Shanahan said. "But that stuff’s not always possible." Isaac Guerendo injures pectoral muscle Running back Isaac Guerendo's chance to bounce back from a disappointing second season hit a setback when he tore a pectoral muscle lifting weights. Shanahan said he expects Guerendo to be sidelined until late in training camp. Guerendo showed promise as a rookie after being drafted in the fourth round in 2024, rushing for 430 yards on 84 carries with four touchdowns. But Guerendo fell to third team last season after the team acquired Brian Robinson to back up Christian McCaffrey. Guerendo didn't get on the field for a single offensive snap all season, being relegated to special teams duties. The Niners also waived running back Sincere McCormick and signed running backs Jermar Jefferson and Jordan Mims for depth in the offseason. Safety Darrick Forrest was placed on injured reserve. Reporting by the Associated Press.

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/nORtGpj

Rams WR Puka Nacua Says Rehab Has Improved His Life, Not Thinking Much About Extension

Puka Nacua says he is thinking less about his contract situation with the Los Angeles Rams these days and more about how to be a good father, friend and teammate after his eventful offseason. The Rams' All-Pro receiver gave some details about the changes in his life over the past several months after the Rams' organized team activities Thursday. Nacua hadn't spoken at length publicly since he spent time in a holistic rehabilitation facility and was sued for allegedly biting a woman and making an antisemitic statement on New Year's Eve. "I feel like I’ve learned is it’s OK to ask for support," Nacua said. Nacua described his time in rehab as "a short stint," and he hasn't missed any offseason workouts heading into his fourth season with the Rams. But the two-time Pro Bowl selection also says he has worked with a team therapist and attended unspecified weekly meetings in recent months, and he is trying to improve the structure of his day-to-day life. "Little did I know that even just writing in a journal, as simple as that, and finding ways to express some of the things I have near and dear to my heart ... it’s been a great improvement in my life," Nacua said. Nacua entered the rehab facility early in the offseason, apparently before he was sued in March by a woman who claims he made an antisemitic statement and bit her on the shoulder. Plaintiff Madison Atiabi also claims Nacua bit her friend’s thumb during a night of partying. Nacua also issued a public apology last December after he performed a gesture that plays upon antisemitic tropes while appearing on an internet livestream. He also made sharply critical comments against NFL officials on social media. Nacua turns 25 years old on Friday, and the prolific receiver says he has turned a corner in his off-the-field life. His son was born last October, shortly before trouble started for Nacua off the field during his wildly prolific season for the Rams, who reached the NFC championship game. Nacua led the NFL with 129 catches and ranked second with 1,715 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns, earning unanimous All-Pro honors. "I have a young son, and I think of the things that I have the opportunity to share with him, and the great things that I’ve been able to accomplish, and to enjoy those moments, but also to teach him in some of the mistakes I’ve made," Nacua said. "There’s an opportunity for him to learn before some of those wrong decisions can be made." Nacua will be at the center of the Rams' passing game this fall alongside Davante Adams and NFL MVP Matthew Stafford, but Nacua is also entering the final year of his rookie contract. Nacua and the Rams have not yet reached an agreement on a long-term contract extension, although general manager Les Snead has a history of finalizing big deals shortly before the start of training camp. When asked if he could envision playing in 2026 without an extension, Nacua made it clear he leaves that side of his life up to his agent. "I haven’t really thought about it," Nacua said. "I enjoy playing football. It’s been the biggest dream come true. So to be out here, and play for this organization specifically, has been awesome. I couldn’t imagine myself playing anywhere else, but it’s been fun to go out here and be around these guys, and hopefully let all those things handle themselves." Reporting by The Associated Press.

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/XF1829j

NFL Offseason Check-In: Why Browns QB Deshaun Watson Might Bounce Back in 2026

If you are looking for a comeback story to watch in 2026, you might want to pay close attention to Deshaun Watson’s re-emergence as a starting quarterback with the Cleveland Browns under new coach Todd Monken. Early reports out of Cleveland assert that Watson has impressed at organized team activities and moved ahead of Shedeur Sanders as the club's QB1. While it is far too late for Watson to live up to his historic contract — $230 million fully guaranteed over five years after the Browns traded six draft picks just to acquire him — he could line himself up for another starting job, or perhaps extend his stay in Cleveland, with a bounce-back campaign that reminds the football world of his spectacular talents as a playmaking wizard from the pocket. Now, I certainly understand why the doubters are rolling their eyes at that statement. It's been a while since we've seen the best of Watson, who's now 30 years old. But the recent reclamations of Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith should create some optimism that Watson can turn things around under a head coach who believes in his game and brings a system that will showcase his talent. Monken is coming off a three-year stint where he helped Lamar Jackson claim his second MVP award (and nearly a third), while completing 66% of his passes for 10,399 yards with 86 touchdowns and just 18 interceptions over 46 games. Jackson finished with a passer rating of at least 102.7 in each of those seasons and averaged a sparkling 8.4 yards per pass attempt during that span. Those numbers are especially notable because Jackson transitioned from a run-heavy offense to a spread system that featured more downfield throws and a renewed commitment to a quick-rhythm passing game. With Monken pulling from his experience as a playcaller on the collegiate level, the Baltimore Ravens utilized more spread formations and Air Raid concepts to make the game easy for their electric QB. Watson once enjoyed similar success during his time with the Houston Texans, directing a wide-open offense under Bill O’Brien. The former first-rounder completed 67.8% of his passes for 14,539 passing yards with 104 touchdowns and 36 interceptions for a 104.5 passer rating during his first four seasons. With an 8.3 yards-per-attempt average over his 54-game stint in Houston, Watson clearly excelled in the "spread and shred" system, mirroring the offense in which he flourished while leading Clemson to a national title in 2016. The skeptics will point out that Watson’s recent struggles and injuries should not be ignored, as we have not seen the former Pro Bowler at his peak since 2020. He has seemingly lost his mojo after sitting out all of 2021, serving an 11-game suspension in 2022 for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy following more than two dozen allegations of sexual assault, and dealing with injuries to his throwing shoulder and Achilles between 2023-25. Watson has appeared in just 19 out of a possible 85 games over the past five seasons and his last NFL action came in October 2024. However, the Browns’ ill-fitting scheme also contributed heavily to Watson’s struggles. Although Kevin Stefanski’s under-center, play-action-heavy system has worked well for some passers, Watson never found his rhythm within the scheme, as evidenced by his woeful numbers (61.2% completion rate, 3,365 pass yards, 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 80.7 passer rating) over those 19 games. Whether it was rust, resistance or a complete regression, Watson's subpar play is one of the most puzzling developments we have witnessed in recent years. That said, I'm reminded of what Hall of Fame executive Ron Wolf once told me he learned from the late Al Davis: Don't give up on a blue-chip talent because a new voice or environment could unlock their potential. Although that discussion was part of a conversation about first-round picks getting multiple chances in the league, the point resonates in this scenario, given Monken’s arrival as the Browns' new head coach and playcaller and Watson's early-career pedigree. For as mightily as Watson has struggled since arriving in Cleveland four years ago, he was a three-time Pro Bowler in Houston and widely viewed as a top-five QB. "Any time that you have a player that at one time has exhibited the skill set at an elite level," Monken reportedly said at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, "I think you're always going to give them the benefit of the doubt that somehow we might be able to get that out of him again, and I think that's how you should look at every player." By giving Watson a clean slate and implementing a system that is more suited to his skills, the Browns are holding out hope for the player who once led the league in passing (4,823 yards in 2020) and set a Texans’ franchise record with 33 touchdowns in the same season. The team is hoping a new scheme and upgraded supporting cast will help Watson get back to the pinpoint passing that made him one of the most feared young quarterbacks in the game. From a schematic standpoint, Monken’s emphasis on the deep ball and quick game from shotgun formations should tap into Watson’s skills as a rhythmic passer. The 6-foot-3, 223-pound Watson excelled at "catch it and rip it" concepts early in his career based on his extensive experience throwing quicks, screens and RPOs at Clemson. Additionally, he is a pinpoint passer on deep balls with his rainbow-arcing tosses routinely flying over the top of the defense. The Texans took advantage of his skills by surrounding him with speedsters and "catch-and-run" specialists (Will Fuller, Brandin Cooks, Kenny Stills and Randall Cobb) who could track down his deep tosses or transform his quick passes into chunk gains on the perimeter. With perennial Pro Bowler DeAndre Hopkins dominating as a WR1, the team put enough playmakers around Watson to enable him to target the entire field. Cleveland can mimic that blueprint after drafting KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston and Joe Royer this past April to play alongside Jerry Jeudy, Isaiah Bond and Harold Fannin Jr. While the offseason moves were not made with Watson in mind, he should benefit from a more diverse and explosive receiving corps around him. With a rebuilt offensive line featuring a mix of veteran free-agent signees and trade acquisitions (Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins and Tytus Howard) and a top-10 draft pick (Spencer Fano), the Browns have a set of "trench warriors" in front of Watson who should keep him upright and protected in the pocket. Moreover, the unit should move defenders off the ball to give the Browns a credible running game, thereby alleviating some of the pressure on the quarterback to carry the offense. While it is hard to envision a player bouncing back from a five-year span of subpar play and injuries, Darnold just won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks after flopping with the Jets and the Panthers over five seasons before mastering his craft as a backup with the 49ers and delivering a spectacular campaign with the Vikings in 2024. Mayfield also endured a roller-coaster ride as a former No. 1 overall pick who was dismissed from his original team (the Browns) and booted from his second squad (the Panthers) before turning the corner with the Rams and the Buccaneers. Smith is probably the best example of an improbable comeback after earning back-to-back Pro Bowl berths in Seattle (2022-23) after a six-year hiatus from a starting role. He served as a backup in four different organizations before eventually replacing Russell Wilson as the Seahawks’ starter following a two-year apprenticeship. The veteran’s odyssey shows the importance of finding the right scheme and environment to flourish as a starter. Moreover, it is a tale that should give Browns fans hope that Watson, should he win the starting job, can play like the franchise quarterback the Dawg Pound expected him to be all along — if only for a season.

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/E32OlVr

J.J. McCarthy Uses ‘Classroom’ Analogy to Describe Relationship With Kyler Murray

The combination of skills and experience Kyler Murray carried with him to the Minnesota Vikings has made him their presumptive starting quarterback this upcoming season, even if the coaching staff declared an open competition for the job with J.J. McCarthy. In his first public comments since Murray was cut by the starting-over Arizona Cardinals and signed with the eager-to-contend Vikings, McCarthy sounded as though he understood the situation but did not necessarily appreciate it. "Look, the organization made a decision that they feel like is going to improve the depth and the quality of the room," McCarthy said Wednesday after the first offseason practice session the team opened to reporters. "All I’m thinking about is continuing the upward trajectory that I set for myself last season — that last quarter of the season — and continuing to be the best version of me every single day." Asked directly if he was disappointed that the Vikings acquired Murray, McCarthy said, "Then I would be disappointed if the rain fell. That’s out of my control. At the end of the day, I’ve just got to focus on what I can do to be the best quarterback for this football team." As for his nascent relationship with Murray, McCarthy said there's no awkwardness between them but, well, sure didn't sound warm about it in his terse response. "It’s just like two guys in a classroom. He sits on one side. I sit on the other side. And it’s the coaches responsibility to teach us and coach us," McCarthy said. Murray, for his part, didn't hesitate to speak highly of the working arrangement, which is undoubtedly easier to do as an eighth-year player in the NFL with multiple standout seasons on his resume. Murray said McCarthy has been "overly" receptive to his input as a veteran with 87 starts. "We’re both competitors. I know we both want what’s best for the team," Murray said. "He’s always communicating, asking questions, stuff like that, so it’s been good." Murray has deftly dodged any discussion of depth chart expectation. Even with all of the assets the Vikings offer — from top-notch facilities to a quarterback-friendly head coach in Kevin O'Connell to star wide receiver Justin Jefferson — he likely wouldn't have picked Minnesota on a one-year minimum-salary contract if he didn't think he'd be the starter. Whether the job was privately promised to him or not hardly matters. "My confidence is unshakeable. That’s how I feel about myself," Murray said. "Regardless of what happens day to day, I know the next day I’m coming out here giving my best effort." McCarthy declined to specify whether he's made any changes to his throwing mechanics, after being dogged by erratic performances during his injury-impacted rocky debut. He has spent plenty of time since the offseason began, however, working on the field with Jefferson. "Just building those on-time and on-rhythm passes for each concept and each route," McCarthy said. "It’s just tremendous to be around that guy every single day." When Vikings players reconvened last month to begin the formal offseason training program, Jefferson spoke candidly to reporters about his excitement over Murray's arrival — and his expectation for McCarthy’s improvement. "It’s good to get some good talent in that room to kind of give a little spark in that room, to see a competitive edge from those guys to lock in and do what we’re expecting them to do, which is to come in and to be that guy," said Jefferson, the two-time All-Pro who has entered his seventh year in the NFL. "We have great talent in that room, especially for J.J. to get that spark in him and for Kyler to come from Arizona and continue that spark." Assuming Murray wins the job this season, his mobility ought to open up more space for Jefferson down the field. "Definitely looking forward to his speed, his quickness, his arm strength that he’s shown countless times over the years," Jefferson said. "For J.J., somebody into that room with that type of ability, that type of talent, he’s got to step it up a little bit. So it’s good for him to feel that type of pressure and to really lock in a little bit and say, ‘It’s either now, or I’m going to take that backseat again.'" Reporting by the Associated Press.

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/FDY41EI

Why Mark Schlereth Thinks Cowboys Should Be Favored To Win NFC East

The Dallas Cowboys missed the playoffs for a second straight season in 2025, going 7-9-1 in Brian Schottenheimer's first year as head coach. But that isn't stopping FOX Sports NFL analyst Mark Schlereth from being bullish about the Cowboys ahead of the 2026 season. Schlereth not only thinks that Dallas can eclipse its projected win total of 9.5, but he wouldn't be surprised if the Cowboys usurped the Philadelphia Eagles and won the NFC East. "I think they have plenty of talent. I think this is a football team that can dominate both lines of scrimmage," Schlereth said on "The Herd." "That, to me, says the Dallas Cowboys are frontrunners to win their division." While the Cowboys invested in a heavy defensive roster, which includes No. 11 overall pick safety Caleb Downs and No. 23 overall pick Malachi Lawrence, Dallas also spent time redesigning its offensive line look. Already, the foundation of the offensive line is set up with Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker and Terrance Steele as the projected starters. However, their depth is what seems to be the game-changer for how they’ll perform this year with fourth-round pick Drew Shelton and T.J. Bass. On the other side of the ball, the front seven emerged as a major storyline for the Cowboys this offseason. After last year's blockbuster trade of edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, Dallas struggled, finishing last in yards allowed per game. Now anchored by edge rushers Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, their offseason additions — edge rushers Rashan Gary from the Packers and Lawrence — make the Cowboys' front seven dangerous going into a difficult 2026 schedule. Schlereth emphasized the importance of being talented at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and said that it will be a massive turning point for the Cowboys' success this season. "You control both lines of scrimmage in the National Football League, you’re going to win a lot of football games. That’s what jumps off the page to me more than CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens," Schlerth said. Wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were two of the NFL’s best at their position in 2025 as they caught passes from quarterback Dak Prescott. Pickens finished third in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,429 and Lamb finished 11th with 1,077 despite his injuries. With the Cowboys revamping their roster in a major way this offseason, their projected win total has climbed at some sports books. FanDuel Sportsbook has Dallas' win total set at 9.5 wins. While that mark is one of the higher projected win totals in the league, Schlereth thinks the Cowboys will easily clear the mark of 9.5 wins. "I’d hammer the over," Schlereth said. "One thing I will say about the Dallas Cowboys is … where they have invested is a young offensive line that can hammer people, they can beat up on people, and now they’ve invested defensively in their front seven."

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/tk1f3bF

Cowherd Reacts to Stafford's Extension: ‘Win A Super Bowl Now And Next Year'

The 2026 NFL MVP hinted at a return in February and put it in writing this week – Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is officially suiting up for the 2026 season. Stafford, who led the NFL in passing yards and touchdown passes last season, inked a one-year extension with the Rams worth up to $55 million. FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd believes the Rams’ recent draft class made it possible to extend Stafford while keeping a talented defense intact. "The Rams can do that and pay that because they’ve drafted so well, but in about two years, they’ve got some really good players and money’s going to be due with a lot of them on defense," Cowherd said on Friday's edition of The Herd. Los Angeles' returning lineup plus Stafford instantly makes them an early favorite to win the Super Bowl next year. Their defense also received an upgrade with their blockbuster trade of veteran cornerback Trent McDuffie. Come the NFL Draft, the Rams used their first-round selection on quarterback Ty Simpson, which became one of the most shocking picks of the draft. Los Angeles had been projected to select a weapon player, like a wide receiver or a tight end with their first round pick. Although Simpson's selection could’ve been questionable for the Rams, FOX Sports' Rob Rang still saw Simpson as a perfect fit. "Prior to the draft, I listed the Rams as one of the cleanest fits for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. His pre-snap recognition and accuracy project quite well to Sean McVay’s offense, and with Matthew Stafford already in place, Simpson will have the opportunity to learn from the sideline, rather than get pushed onto the field prematurely," Rang wrote. Simpson led the Alabama Crimson Tide to their first College Football Playoff appearance with coach Kalen DeBoer at the helm. After a first round win over Oklahoma, the Tide fell in a brutal 38-3 loss at the Rose Bowl to eventual champions Indiana in the quarterfinals. Now, Simpson will prepare to take over the Rams offense when it comes time for Stafford to hang up the cleats. The Rams' returning offense still has wide receivers Puka Nacua and Devonte Adams, tight end Colby Parkinson and running back pair Blake Corum and Kyren Williams. Cowherd also saw the Simpson pick as the right call, especially if Stafford potentially retires following his extension. "This is why I defended the Ty Simpson pick…They're trying to master two timelines. The number one timeline is: Win a Super Bowl now and next year. The 2nd timeline is: To have their QB in place without getting into a bidding war in two years." Last year, the Rams fell short of a title, when they lost to eventual Super Bowl LX champions the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship. It was their first time back in the conference title game since their Super Bowl LVI win in 2022. Now, with Stafford’s official return, the Rams are already positioned to make another deep run this season. The Rams officially open up the 2026 season in Melbourne (the first ever NFL regular season game in Australia) with an NFC West game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 10.

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/tEwOpd1