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Houston Texans 2025 NFL Season Preview

[Editor's note: This article is from Athlon Sports' 2025 NFL Preview Magazine. Order your copy today online or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.]

Inside the posh Breakers hotel during the league meetings in March, Houston Texans owner Cal McNair emphasized three words about the state of the defending AFC South champs: “Pretty darn close.”

The Texans have grown tired of losing in the AFC divisional round, falling to 0-6 all-time at that stage of the playoffs in January when they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. As McNair and his wife, team foundation vice president Hannah McNair, see it, the Texans are poised to “take another step.”

There’s justification for optimism. Under head coach DeMeco Ryans’ leadership, the Texans have won back-to-back division titles. They return a former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in quarterback C.J. Stroud and a former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in end Will Anderson Jr. Stroud can hand it off to Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon or throw it to star receiver Nico Collins.

More NFL team previews

AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots

AFC North:Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers

AFC South:Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans

AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders

NFC East:Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants

NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings

NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints

NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks

They rewarded All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. with a $90 million extension to make him the highest-paid cornerback in the game. Ball-hawking safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was acquired in a trade from the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles to make an already loaded secondary an elite unit.

“Championship or nothing,” Gardner-Johnson says. “Didn’t bring me here to win the division, or the conference. I think we’re going to get it real soon.”

Offense

The most dramatic offseason move was firing coordinator Bobby Slowik. He was dismissed largely due to a failure to adapt his schemes to counteract defenses, or to listen to input from key players and staff.

Nick Caley is Slowik’s replacement, and he’s expected to implement an offense well-schooled in concepts from his time working for Sean McVay, Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels. The emphasis: marrying game plans tailored to personnel and matchups with the ability to change on the fly every week.

The Houston Texans announce they have activated Nico Collins off of the injured reserve.

Nico Collins is Houston’s primary weapon in the passing game.

Stroud has the necessary attributes of accuracy, arm strength and enough mobility and savvy to improvise. His regression statistically was primarily chalked up to substandard pass protection, and he appears ready to bounce back in his third season. He’ll have more freedom to audible plays and protections.

That all sounds good on paper. However, if an overhauled offensive line doesn’t improve dramatically, the offense will remain stuck in neutral. Stroud was sacked 52 times last season. The Texans traded away Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, mostly for “Moneyball” reasons. They cut declining guard Shaq Mason and traded disappointing former first-round pick Kenyon Green. Veteran Cam Robinson is penciled in to replace Tunsil.

Tytus Howard can play left guard or right tackle and is one of the few starters retained under a restructured contract. Rookie tackle Aireontae Ersery has upside, but he will need time to develop. Right tackle Blake Fisher will be challenged for the job after a rough playoff game against the Chiefs. Trent Brown is an option at right tackle, as are Howard and Ersery. Right guard is up for grabs between Juice Scruggs and Ed Ingram. Jarret Patterson has good technique and communicates well. He’s trying to hold off former New England Patriot Jake Andrews at center. Former Pro Bowl guard Laken Tomlinson is in the mix, too.

Offensive line coach Chris Strausser was fired and replaced by Cole Popovich, who was promoted to offensive line coach/run game coordinator. Popovich and Caley are former Patriots colleagues who share a language learned from Belichick and Dante Scarnecchia in New England.

Receiver has proven commodities in Collins, a No. 1 type who has elite size and athleticism at 6-foot-4, 222 pounds with 4.4 speed, and Christian Kirk, the consummate slot receiver as the No. 2. Adding a basketball-sized rookie receiver in Jayden Higgins and his college teammate Jaylin Noel to the slot should give the receiving room a boost.

Tight end Dalton Schultz is coming off a rough year and hasn’t lived up to his $36 million contract. The Texans hope Caley, who coached Rob Gronkowski in New England, can rejuvenate Schultz’s game.

Losing Stefon Diggs hurts, as does the likelihood that Tank Dell will miss the season due to a knee injury. Stroud has to get acclimated to new targets to make this offense click after a stagnant year under Slowik.

Mixon is a bruising runner with wiggle in the open field and sound hands. Acquiring him for a seventh-round pick was a steal. Fourth-round pick Woody Marks figures to be the third-down back and add a change of pace. Used infrequently, Dameon Pierce has power and some breakaway ability. Jakob Johnson is the new lead-blocking fullback.

Defense

Ryans is the architect of one of the NFL’s top defenses and is known for his aggressive 4-3 schemes. He believes in getting after the quarterback and has assembled a formidable edge tandem in Danielle Hunter and Anderson. Hunter’s Euro Step move is tough to stop. Anderson’s overall game is maturing, and he has a relentless style. Sheldon Rankins is back to add leadership and inside quickness. Tim Settle Jr.’s size and strength set him apart. Mario Edwards Jr. is an underrated interior rusher. There’s a lot of depth with Denico Autry, Derek Barnett and Darrell Taylor to keep the rotation fresh.

Houston Texans linebacker Will Anderson Jr.

Will Anderson

Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports

Azeez Al-Shaair is a rangy, hard-hitting middle linebacker whose presence was missed after his suspension for an illegal hit on Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence. There’s competition for the other linebacker spot between Henry To’oTo’o, Christian Harris (who has durability issues) and newcomer E.J. Speed, who many believe will emerge as a starter.

Stingley has outstanding hands and is faster and tougher than most of his opponents. Gardner-Johnson has a nose for the ball and an intense, trash-talking personality. Nickel Jalen Pitre is on track to make it back from a torn pectoral. Like Stingley, he got a top-of-the-market contract extension. Kamari Lassiter loves to hit and roughs up receivers as the corner opposite Stingley. Calen Bullock, working next to Gardner-Johnson, gives the Texans one of the better safety duos in the NFL.

SPECIALISTS

Coordinator Frank Ross has built a solid group, especially with Ka’imi Fairbairn, one of the most accurate long-distance placekickers in the NFL. Tommy Townsend has booming hangtime on his punts. Tucker Addington and undrafted free agent Austin Brinkman are competing to replace long-snapper Jon Weeks. There are good options in the return game, especially former All-Pro Braxton Berrios. Reserve corners D’Angelo Ross and Tremon Smith excel at kick coverage.

Final Analysis

The Texans have proven they’re more than good enough to dominate the AFC South again and get back to the playoffs. Whether they’re really talented enough to make some noise in the postseason remains to be seen. The defense is definitely good enough, but the offense needs to hold up its end of the bargain.

The Texans like the culture they’ve built and the chemistry between Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio, who has rebuilt the roster. “We trust Nick and we trust DeMeco to do what’s best for the team,” Cal McNair says. “We’re confident in their ability to do what’s best for the team and put a great product on the field. We can’t wait to see it.”