For better or for worse, the Texans offense should look fairly similar in 2025.
The season has come to a close for all 32 teams. The off-season is fully underway. While free agency officially kicks off in a month from now, the Houston Texans front office is already working their way through this talented free agency class.
It’s both a blessing and a curse that they don’t have much work to do on offense—because they also don’t have the money to make changes. The Texans enter the offseason with only $1.8M of available cap space; 25th in the league. It could be worse, the New Orleans Saints went 5-12 and have NEGATIVE $51M in cap space. Fortunately for both, the NFL cap is expected to increase by a balking $20M this offseason.
Overall, Houston will maintain ten of its eleven starters heading into 2025 season. The sole starter not returning is Stefon Diggs, but I imagine both sides will want him to stay in Houston as he recovers.
The biggest weaknesses are starting interior offensive line, backup running back, and depth at the receiver position.
I’ll now analyze the Texans’ offensive depth chart. For reference, returning starters are bolded, and the year next to each player indicates when their contract is set to expire
Offense (10/11 returning):
Offensive Tackles (5/5 returning):
Laremy Tunsil (2026)
Tytus Howard (2026)
Blake Fisher (2027)
Austin Deculus (2025)
Jaylon Thomas (2025)
- Free Agents: Zac Thomas
Tytus Howard and Blake Fisher are both included here as Howard primarily plays right tackle, but shifted to guard due to player injuries and poor play across the offensive line.
The Texans are in both the best and worst situation. They have two premier tackles and even one in waiting with Blake Fisher. The problem? None of those players had a particularly impressive 2024. Even worse, Howard and Tunsil occupy $51M or 19% of the entire team’s salary cap. The combination of big paydays and even bigger salary obligations could entice the Texans front office to make a move at this position.
If Houston decides to trade Laremy Tunsil, they would save $13M on the salary cap. They would then move Tytus Howard to left tackle and slot Fisher into right. With the new cash and potential draft picks, they can solidify other positions on the roster.
Interior Lineman (5/5 returning):
Juice Scruggs (2026)
Jarrett Patterson (2026)
Shaq Mason (2026)
Kenyon Green (2025)
Ladarius Henderson (2027)
- Free Agents: Kendrick Green
Good news: Houston maintains all of its current offensive lineman. Bad news: Houston maintains all of its current offensive lineman. The Texans STILL have legitimate issues across the front. Patterson has been serviceable at center, but this is an area Houston can invest in to improve the line. Guard is also a major, if not the primary concern, heading into the offseason.
Kenyon Green and Shaq Mason are weights on the entire franchise. Green isn’t owed much money, but the ship has sailed on his time in Houston. Mason is owed a $14.7M salary this season; sixth most on the team. Houston could save $6M by cutting him after June 1.
Tight Ends (3/4 returning):
Dalton Schultz (2026)
Brevin Jordan (2025)
Cade Stover (2027)
- Free Agents: Teagan Quitoriano and Dalton Keene
Texans plan to keep their three primary tight ends heading into 2025. Teagan Quitoriano has been injured more often than being healthy. He’s been on injured reserve every season of his career.
The new offensive coordinator Nick Caley does have a background in tight ends; he may bring in a player or two that match his style of tight end.
Quarterbacks (2/3 returning)
C.J. Stroud (2026)
Davis Mills (2025)
- Free Agents: Case Keenum
Don’t be surprised if the Texans use a late pick on a developmental QB. 2024 should be Case Keenum’s last year as a full fledged QB before his natural progression to high school coach. As well, Houston may very well extend and add on Stroud’s fifth year option early. Yes, that bill is coming sooner than one might think.
Running Backs (3/4 returning)
Joe Mixon (2026)
Dameon Pierce (2025)
British Brooks (2026)
- Free Agents: Dare Ogunbowale
Houston stands to lose pass blocking specialist Dare Ogunbowale to free agency.
The Texans place too much pressure on veteran Joe Mixon. Whether through the draft or free agency, they need to find a reliable second option. Dameon Pierce, as beloved as he is, doesn’t have the trust of the staff and is a non-factor on offense due to a stylistic difference in running schemes. Maybe the new coordinator will change things. Texans could also move up rookie RB Jawhar Jordan from the practice squad as another competitor for the roster.
Wide Receivers (4/7 returning)
Nico Collins (2027)
Tank Dell (2026)
John Metchie III (2025)
Xavier Hutchinson (2026)
- Free Agents: Stefon Diggs, Steven Sims, and Robert Woods
Whether the Texans resign Stefon Diggs or let him ponder free agency will be the headline of the offseason. Houston owes him almost $30M in void years from his contract. The Texans can avoid paying this at an accelerated rate if they resign him. Both sides should want that.
Tank Dell’s injury compounds the problem here; healthy depth. Expect Houston to find another suitable free agent addition or look for a cheap rookie deal to boost Stroud’s options at receiver.
The pair of John Metchie III and Xavier Hutchinson exist as low-cost draft products, but neither have been able to step up when injuries have arisen. Their roster spots should be safe even if the team adds two new faces.