Coleridge Bernard "C. J." Stroud IV, a quarterback for the Houston Texans, was drafted by the team as the second pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He went to Rancho Cucamonga High School and, as a senior, recorded 3,878 passing yards and 47 touchdowns. Graduating in 2020 as a four-star recruit, as per On3, he enrolled at the Ohio State University. In the 2021 and 2022 seasons, he was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, the Big Ten Quarterback of the Year, and a First-team All-Big Ten. Further, he was also the finalist for the Heisman Trophy in the former seasons.
Stroud, in his rookie season with the Texans, became the youngest starting quarterback to win a playoff game, leading the team into the divisional round, yet they lost to the Ravens 10-34. For the feat, he won the Offensive Rookie of the Year honor. He was also named for the Pro Bowl and PFWA All-Rookie Team. He struggled in the 2024 season, though, and had one of the lowest passer ratings of his career (59.2). Overall, as of January 2025, he has played in 32 games with a record of 19-13, according to Pro Football Reference. He has completed 655 passes out of 1,031 attempts for 7,835 yards and 43 touchdowns.
C.J. Stroud's Contract Breakdown
In July 2023, C.J. Stroud agreed to a rookie contract for $36.2 million for four years with the Houston Texans. The deal included a $23.38 million signing bonus and an average salary of $9 million per year. The contract is fully guaranteed. (via Spotrac)
| Contract | Signing Bonus | Average Salary | GTD at Sign | Total GTD |
| 4 yr(s) / $36,279,243 | $23,384,904 | $9,069,811 | $36,279,243 | $36,279,243 |
The details of the contract are provided below:
| Year | Age | Status | Base Salary | Signing Proration | Roster Bonus | Cap Hit | Cap % | Dead Cap |
| 2023 | 22 | Active | $750,000 | $5,846,226 | - | $6,596,226 | 2.93% | $36,279,242 |
| 2024 | 23 | Active | $915,000 | $5,846,226 | $1,484,057 | $8,245,283 | 3.23% | $29,683,016 |
| 2025 | 24 | Active | $1,030,000 | $5,846,226 | $3,018,113 | $9,894,339 | 3.60% | $21,437,734 |
| 2026 | 25 | Active | $1,145,000 | $5,846,226 | $4,552,170 | $11,543,396 | 3.95% | $11,543,395 |
| 2027 | 26 | Club | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2028 | 27 | UFA | - | - | - | - | - | - |
How much is C.J. Stroud getting paid?
In the 2025 season, C. J. Stroud will earn a base salary of $1 million, a signing proration of $5.84 million, and a roster bonus of $3 million, with a cap hit of $9.89 million and a dead cap of $21.43 million, as per Spotrac.
How much does C.J. Stroud make in a minute?
C.J. Stroud makes $17.25 per minute based on his average annual pay of $9 million and total annual 525,600 minutes.
C.J. Stroud's Career Earnings
C.J. Stroud has earned a total of $26.53 million in his career earnings as of January 2025, according to Spotrac.
What are the terms of C.J. Stroud’s contract?
Spotrac claims that the terms of C. J. Stroud's rookie contract are rather simple. It has a $36.2 million value and a $23.38 million signing bonus, which is spread out over the course of the contract with a $5.84 million signing proration. There is a fifth-year option (for extension) in 2027, and the deal is fully guaranteed. Additionally, the annual roster bonus is due three days following the reporting day for the training camp.
How much of C.J. Stroud’s contract is guaranteed?
Being a first-round draft pick in 2023, Stroud has a fully guaranteed entry-level contract. That means he will earn the entire amount of $36.2 million over the next four years.
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FAQs on C.J. Stroud
A. C.J. is short for Coleridge Bernard and his real name is Coleridge Bernard Stroud IV.
A. C.J. Stroud stands at a height of 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) which makes him an average height for a quarterback in the NFL.
A. C.J. Stroud had 8,123 passing yards in his three-year career at Ohio State University.
A. C.J. Stroud has completed 655 of 1,031 passes as of January 2025, according to Pro Football Reference. He has a completion percentage of 63.53.
A. C.J. Stroud was drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, by the Houston Texans as the second pick in the first round.
