The Houston Texans made the playoffs last season, but that doesn’t mean they lived up to expectations.
With the moves they made and the way they played in the first year of head coach DeMeco Ryans and quarterback C.J. Stroud, some thought they would be a legitimate contender to emerge from the AFC last season.
That wasn’t the case, but that could change this season after they revamped the offensive line, according to analyst Chris Simms.
“They are telling you without telling you: The problems of the team were not C.J. Stroud. It was our pass protection scheme and our offensive line. That’s what they had to fix. C.J. Stroud, the Texans, I will not be shocked if they’re in the Super Bowl this year,” Simms said, via Houston Stressans.
“They are telling you w/out telling you: The problems of the team were not CJ Stroud. It was our pass protection scheme & our offensive line.”
“CJ Stroud, the Texans, I will not be shocked if they’re in the Super Bowl this year.” – @CSimmsQB https://t.co/bzZQF21KpH pic.twitter.com/77Ll1G760f
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) June 17, 2025
It was wrong to blame Stroud for all of the struggles last season.
Granted, he didn’t look as sharp and poised in his second year as he looked when he won Offensive Rookie of the Year after he was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
But to be fair, he didn’t have much room or time to operate.
Despite having one of the best blindside protectors in Laremy Tunsil, the Texans’ offensive line collapsed under pressure over and over.
With Tunsil traded to the Washington Commanders, the Texans seem to have a plan to get back to their dominant ways with a new unit.
If the line can give Stroud a clean pocket, they might be onto something.
NEXT: Christian Kirk Reveals Honest Thoughts On C.J. Stroud