Dalton Schultz isn’t just a tight end in Houston - he’s become a cornerstone of the Texans' offensive identity. And during a recent sit-down on Radio Row with Sports Radio 610’s Clint Stoerner and Ron “The Show” Hughley, Schultz peeled back the curtain on what made his 2025 season click - and why he’s feeling more at home than ever in Nick Caley’s offensive system.
“It’s a new offense, but it’s stuff I’ve been doing my whole career,” Schultz said. “I do feel like I was ahead of the curve than everybody else. I was like, ‘I see the coverage, I know the read, here’s where I’m sitting - ball.’”
That comfort level wasn’t just talk - it translated directly to the field. Schultz turned in his best season as a Texan and the second-best of his career, trailing only his 2021 breakout year with the Cowboys. Across 17 games - his eighth straight season playing at least 11 - he posted a career-high 82 receptions for 777 yards and three touchdowns.
And he wasn’t just piling up empty stats. Schultz led the Texans in receptions by a wide margin, outpacing wide receiver Nico Collins (71 catches) by 11.
He finished second on the team in total receiving yards and yards per game (45.7), and first in yards after catch with 358 - a testament to his ability to turn short gains into chain-movers. He also hauled in 39 first-down receptions, second-most on the squad, reinforcing his role as quarterback C.J.
Stroud’s go-to option in critical moments.
In fact, since arriving in Houston in 2023, Schultz and Stroud have quietly built one of the more dependable QB-TE connections in the league. Over the past two seasons, they’ve combined for at least 50 receptions, 500 yards, and multiple touchdowns each year - solid, consistent production that’s helped stabilize a young Texans offense.
That chemistry doesn’t happen by accident. During the interview, Schultz spoke to the trust Stroud has developed in him, saying the young quarterback “knew where he was going to be” on every play.
That level of timing and anticipation is rare, especially between a rookie quarterback and a veteran tight end just two years into their partnership. But it’s been a key ingredient in Houston’s resurgence - a run that’s seen the franchise notch three straight 10-win seasons for the first time in team history.
Still, the season didn’t end the way anyone in Houston hoped. The Texans’ 28-16 loss to the Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round was a tough pill to swallow, and Schultz didn’t shy away from accountability. He left the game in the first quarter and admitted he felt the loss was on him.
“In my eyes, that game is my fault,” he said. “I left the game in the first quarter. There was a big game plan for me, and I wasn’t able to be out there.”
That’s the kind of leadership and self-awareness that’s made Schultz such a valued presence in the locker room. At 29, he’s still playing at a high level and remains one of the most reliable tight ends in the league. But as he enters the final year of his three-year, $36 million extension signed in 2024, questions naturally start to surface.
What does the future hold for Schultz in Houston? Will the front office, led by GM Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans, look to keep the veteran around beyond 2026? And how will his role evolve as young wideouts like Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel begin to carve out more space in the offense?
Those decisions are still down the road. But what’s clear is that Schultz brings more than just numbers to the Texans. His football IQ, professionalism, and steady play have made him a vital part of Houston’s offensive engine - and a trusted security blanket for one of the NFL’s brightest young quarterbacks.
For now, Schultz remains locked in, productive, and fully in sync with the system - and as long as that continues, the Texans will be better for it.