This offseason, C.J. Stroud saw the Houston Texans pour resources into their offensive line, and that could be the catalyst toward another AFC South Crown. Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton picked the Texans’ offensive line as an “X-factor” potentially in their favor.
Winning the division in 2025 would make nine in 24 seasons of existence for the Texans, and would be their first three-peat in franchise history.
The Texans just need their plan to pan out.
“Based on the Texans’ offseason moves, they felt the offensive line was a big reason for the team’s overall struggles on that side of the ball,” Moton wrote on July 5. “The players will sort out who earns the starting positions at training camp.
“If the quarterback takes excessive hits like last year, the offense will have another mediocre season in the passing game.”
Stroud absorbed 52 sacks in 2024, the second-most in the NFL.
Stroud and the Texans’ offense also dropped from 12th in scoring and 13th in scoring and yards, respectively, in 2023 to 19th and 22nd in those same categories in 2024.
C.J. Stroud, Offensive Step Back Prompted Texans’ OL Retool
GettyHouston Texans general manager Nick Caserio looks on before a game against the Chicago Bears.
The Texans moved on from former offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, hiring Nick Caley from the Los Angeles Rams to replace him.
They did not rest there, though.
“In a surprise move, they traded five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders. They also sent guard Kenyon Green to the Philadelphia Eagles and cut guard Shaq Mason,” Moton wrote.
“Houston signed left tackle Cam Robinson and guard Laken Tomlinson, drafted tackle Aireontae Ersery and acquired guard Ed Ingram from the Minnesota Vikings. Tytus Howard will move to right guard. Blake Fisher, a 2024 second-rounder, will have an opportunity to earn the starting job at right tackle. Trent Brown can provide depth at both tackle spots.”
Stroud absorbed 38 sacks in just two fewer games as a rookie, so the Texans had to act, and they did.
“They simply couldn’t protect Stroud. Though quarterbacks have a meaningful influence on their own pressure and sack rates, Stroud was pressured within 2.5 seconds on more than 18% of his dropbacks in 2024. The only starters who were pressured within 2.5 seconds more often were Drake Maye, Kirk Cousins and Geno Smith,” ESPN’s Bill Barnwell wrote about the 2024 Texans in May.
“Something had to change. General manager Nick Caserio leaned closer toward everything needing to change.”
Texans Backed Up OL Moves With Nick Chubb
GettyNick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Moton lauded the Texans’ current O-line group and noted that it was paramount for the team to “protect Stroud at all costs.” He must build chemistry with new receivers Christian Kirk and rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
However, the Texans did more than just commit $12 million to Robinson, another $2.3 million to Brown, and a projected $9.2 million on Esery, per Spotrac, and hope that Stroud improves.
They also signed four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb.
He should complement their two-time Pro Bowler, Joe Mixon, with an improved running game looming as a boon for Stroud and the Texans’ defense. If the plan comes together, the Stroud and Texans could indeed be celebrating a third straight division title in 2025.
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