The Texans officially exercise their fifth-year club options for All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. and starting quarterback C.J. Stroud, per a league source.For Anderson, the fifth-year option is a precursor to an expected blockbuster deal this offseason that league sources predict will make him the highest paid defensive player in the league with an average compensation approaching $50 million annually. His fifth-year option guaranteed price tag: $21.512 million.I love Will Anderson,love everything that he brings to our organization, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said during the NFL meetings. You talk about a leader and a guy who does everything the right way, everything Ive asked of him.I just remember back speaking with Will, he was our first 30 visit first guy. We had in on a visit and that that meeting is still the best visit Ive ever seen. Hes just that type of guy. Hes a leader in all respects. I love having Will, love what he can provide our organization.Stroud is not expected to receive a long-term deal at this time, per sources, on the heels of a rough postseason for the former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year with five interceptions and five fumbles. His 2027 fifth-year option is $25.9 million.Since the playoffs, the Texans and Stroud have taken several steps to move on from a career-high four interception game against the New England Patriots. That includes his approach to the offseason and working a plan to upgrade whats surrounding him on offense along with whos coaching him with a change to Jerry Schuplinski as quarterbacks coach as the replacement for Jerrod Johnson.C.J. is a young quarterback, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said during the NFL meetings at the Arizona Biltmore. Being young in his career, hes gained a ton of valuable experience and a ton of playoff experience and seeing that it hasnt gone as we would like it to go there in the playoffs. Of course, you always want to win it all. But when you go through those difficult moments, those tough times, you learn from them. I know C.J. has learned from those moments.Now, we got to go out and improve and show it on the field. To see the manner in which hes attacked the offseason, hes working hard. Hes throwing every day. Hes been dialed in. So, Im excited to see how this continues to transition to him having a really great year for us.Without getting into any specifics about their plans, the McNairs declared strongly how they feel about both players.Well let DeMeco and Nick (Caserio) make the football decisions there, but theyre exciting, really good young players, Cal McNair said. Well hope to have them around for a long, long time.PHOENIX -- #Texans Cal McNair and Hannah McNair on potential long-term deals for Will Anderson Jr., C.J. Stroud: 'Exciting, really good players, we'll hope to have them around a long, long time. .. It's a good problem to have when you have so many guys you want to keep under pic.twitter.com/WunQinzX0g Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 1, 2026A year from now, cornerback Kamari Lassiter and safety Calen Bullock will be eligible for extensions. Both were named to the Pro Bowl games as alternates this year.Its a good problem to have when you have so many guys you want to keep under contract, Hannah McNair said. So, if we keep drafting the way we do, this is just going to be something we talk about every year.Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com