The clock struck all zeroes as the 2024 season and 2025 playoff run for the Houston Texans came to an end. The Texans fought hard, but ultimately came up short in their bid to upset the Kansas City Chiefs 23-14. However, the future was deemed still bright after that game, with players like quarterback CJ Stroud, wide receiver Nico Collins, defensive end Will Anderson Jr., and cornerback Derek Stingley leading the way. But there was one question many had about this team heading into the offseason: their offensive line.
The 2024 Houston Texans offensive line was porous. Houston’s offensive line was ranked dead last in the NFL by Pro Football Focus because of their struggles in pass protection and run-blocking. So Houston did like any other team that recognized its weaknesses and made some changes. The Texans started out the offensive line shakeup by trading tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders along with a 2025 fourth-round pick for Washington's 2025 third-round, 2025 seventh-round, 2026 second-round, and 2026 fourth-round picks. Guard Kenyon Green, a 2022 first-round pick for Houston, was also traded, but to the Philadelphia Eagles along with a 2026 sixth-round pick for Eagles safety CJ Gardner-Johnson and a 2025 fifth-round pick. The Texans would go on to release veteran guard Shaq Mason to work on the overhaul. However, along with moving some players out, they also had to bring some players in.
The Texans would sign veteran guard Laken Tomlinson and veteran tackle Cam Robinson to one-year deals, pick up center Jake Andrews off waivers from the Patriots and drafted tackle Ariontae Ursery in the second round. These four have been listed as the potential starters for the Houston Texans to begin the season, joining Tytus Howard at left guard. While the Texans knew they had to do something with their offensive line, was this round of additions and subtractions better than what they had last season?
The Texans may be favored to win the division, but their offensive line remains questionable. Cam Robinson was traded away from Jacksonville, a team that desperately needed solid offensive linemen, in October 2024. Laken Tomlinson is currently 33 years old, and while he has been solid, he has not blown away coaches with his ability. Andrews is coming back this season after missing all of 2024 with a torn meniscus. Ursery, for the most part, has received good reviews of his performance this preseason and in training camp.
For a team trying to go for a three-peat in the AFC South, it will be interesting to see how this collection of talent up front is able to come together and do their best to protect CJ Stroud. If Stroud is protected, then opposing defenses will have a tall task on their hands in stopping their talented offense because of the weapons they have. If not, then CJ Stroud could unintentionally run more like he did last season, the offense won't flow smoothly and the Texans could start to feel their grip on the AFC South loosen. Only time will tell, but with this edition of the offensive line for Houston, their performance is highly critical to any success the Texans could have this year.