As the NFL offseason kicks into gear, a familiar narrative begins to take shape-teams convincing themselves they’re just one player away. It’s a hopeful phrase, tossed around by fans and front offices alike, but only a handful of teams can realistically make that claim without stretching the truth. These are the squads already knocking on the door, who’ve shown they can hang with the league’s best and just need that final piece to push them over the top.
This year, the Houston Texans have every reason to believe they’re in that conversation.
Let’s start with the facts: this is a team that ripped off nine straight wins, claimed a playoff victory, and finished the season as one of the top three units in the league on one side of the ball. That’s not just a hot streak-that’s sustained, high-level football.
And when you’ve got that kind of momentum, you don’t need a rebuild. You need a boost.
Former NFL linebacker Manti Te’o put it plainly during an appearance on Good Morning Football this week: “When you have a defense like what DeMeco Ryans has over there, you need an offense that just gets the job done and doesn’t mess it up. If there’s one team that I think is just one offseason away, just one free agency signing away, it’s the Houston Texans.”
That’s a bold statement, but it’s not without merit. The Texans are young, hungry, and ahead of schedule. Now they’ve got a chance to capitalize on that window-if they make the right move.
So what does that move look like? While no one has pinpointed the player just yet, we can look at recent Super Bowl-winning teams to get a sense of the kind of free agent addition that could push Houston over the hump. Here are four potential blueprints, along with names to watch as free agency approaches.
The “Saquon Barkley to the Eagles” Type
Potential Targets: Breece Hall, Travis Etienne, Kenneth Walker III
This is the splash move. The kind of signing that immediately shifts the narrative and turns a good offense into a potentially elite one. Think of what Barkley brought to Philly: explosiveness, versatility, and a legitimate Offensive Player of the Year ceiling.
Breece Hall fits that mold. He’s dynamic, young, and has already shown he can carry an offense when healthy.
There’s been plenty of smoke connecting Hall to Houston, and with good reason. If the Jets decide to move on-or if Hall himself is looking for a fresh start-pairing him with C.J.
Stroud would give the Texans a true home-run threat out of the backfield.
Travis Etienne is another intriguing option. Not only would he bring speed and pass-catching ability, but signing him would also deal a direct blow to division rival Jacksonville. Kenneth Walker III, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, may be harder to pry away from Seattle, but if he hits the open market, you can bet Houston will be watching.
The “Tyrann Mathieu to the Chiefs” Type
Potential Target: Kyle Pitts
This is the upside swing. The gamble on a supremely talented player who hasn’t quite lived up to expectations-yet.
When the Chiefs signed Mathieu, he was coming off a few up-and-down years. But Kansas City believed in his tools and leadership, and he became the heartbeat of a championship defense.
Enter Kyle Pitts.
Despite all the “bust” talk surrounding him, Pitts has quietly remained one of the most productive tight ends in the league since being drafted in 2021. He ranks fourth in receiving yards among tight ends during that span-behind only Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Mark Andrews. That’s elite company.
Sometimes, all a player needs is the right system and the right quarterback. In Houston, Pitts would get both. With Stroud’s accuracy and Ryans’ culture, Pitts could finally unlock the potential that made him a top-five pick.
The “Michael Bennett to the Seahawks” Type
Potential Targets: John Franklin-Myers, DJ Reader
This move is about doubling down on what’s already working. Back in 2012, the Seahawks had the league’s top scoring defense but ranked just 18th in sacks.
So what did they do? They added Bennett (and Cliff Avril), jumped to 8th in sacks the next year, and won the Super Bowl.
Houston’s defense under DeMeco Ryans has been a revelation. But there’s still room to improve up front, especially when it comes to generating consistent pressure. John Franklin-Myers brings versatility and pass-rush juice, while DJ Reader-who began his career in Houston-could return as a dominant interior presence.
Either player would fortify an already strong unit and give the Texans the kind of defensive depth that separates contenders from champions.
The “Keenan McCardell to the Buccaneers” Type
Potential Target: Offensive Line Help
Sometimes the most important addition isn’t flashy-it’s functional. In 2002, Tampa Bay added McCardell and Joe Jurevicius to a struggling passing offense.
The result? A Super Bowl win.
But the real key was improving the infrastructure, starting with protection.
Houston’s offensive line made strides from 2024 to 2025, but it’s still a work in progress. Re-signing Ed Ingram would help, but why stop there? Adding another proven lineman could give Stroud the time he needs to operate and elevate the entire offense.
This is about maximizing what you already have. Stroud is the real deal.
The weapons are coming together. Now it’s about giving your young quarterback a clean pocket and a clear path to success.
Final Thoughts
The Texans aren’t rebuilding. They’re reloading. And if they make the right move in free agency-whether it’s a playmaker like Breece Hall, a high-upside swing like Kyle Pitts, a defensive enforcer like DJ Reader, or a stabilizing presence on the offensive line-they’ll be in the thick of the Super Bowl hunt next season.
It’s not about chasing stars. It’s about finding the right fit.
And if Houston nails that, the rest of the AFC better be ready. Because the Texans aren’t just one player away from being good.
They’re one player away from being great.