The Texans won the AFC South last season and beat the Los Angeles Chargers in the opening round of the playoffs, but their passing offense took a big step back from the year before. That will likely need to change in order for them to make a deeper run in 2025.
There are plenty of questions surrounding Houston’s offense heading into C.J. Stroud’s third NFL season. Here are the biggest:
Was it a sophomore slump for Stroud?
Stroud looked like the steal of the NFL Draft in 2023 and ran away with the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, but he was not quite as sharp last season. Houston’s passing offense took a huge step back, though injuries to wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell played a role in that.
After throwing for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions as a rookie, Stroud struggled more in his second season. He finished with 3,727 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2024.
The Texans drafted a pair of wide receivers within the first three rounds and acquired Christian Kirk in a trade, so they are hoping their offense looks improved this season. That brings us to our next question.
Who will step up as the No. 2 wide receiver?
Nico Collins is one of the best receivers in football, but the Texans desperately need a No. 2 option in the passing game. Dell is expected to miss all of 2025 because of a knee injury he suffered late last season. Diggs has departed in free agency.
Houston acquired Kirk in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars in March. It also drafted a pair of Iowa State wide receivers in Jayden Higgins (No. 34 overall) and Jaylin Noel (No. 79 overall).
Incorporating rookie wide receivers into an offense is never easy, but the Texans are hoping at least one of their two former Cyclones becomes a day-one starter. If not, the depth chart will start to look thin in a hurry.
Can the offensive line hold up?
Stroud was sacked 52 times last season, which was the second-highest total in the NFL behind only Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams’ 68. Despite that, the Texans decided to trade Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders in March. They also parted ways with offensive linemen Shaq Mason and Kenyon Green, who spent time as starters last season.
Houston addressed the O-line need by drafting tackle Aireontae Ersery in the second round. Veterans Cam Robinson and Trent Brown have also been added to the mix, but there are still more questions than answers along the offensive front.
Keeping Stroud upright will be a priority for the Texans, and their revamped offensive line bears watching.
