The Houston Texans’ path in 2026 may run straight through the backfield.
That’s because the running back room could end up doing more than just piling up touches - it may be the piece that helps C.J. Stroud settle in, find rhythm, and give Houston’s offense a steadier weekly floor.
The Texans have built a strong defense under DeMeco Ryans, but the offense has still had stretches where it has struggled to move the ball with enough consistency. That has been part of the reason this team has not gotten over the hump yet.
Stroud’s own issues with ball security and overall consistency have also been part of the picture, and that puts even more pressure on Houston to make life easier for him. One of the cleanest ways to do that is by leaning into the ground game and putting the quarterback in more manageable situations.
If the Texans can do that, Stroud should have a better chance to process defenses, make smarter decisions, and work with easier throws. It would also help the offense stay on schedule and extend drives.
The Texans believe they have the right duo for that job in David Montgomery and Woody Marks.
Montgomery arrives in Houston after being acquired via trade from the Detroit Lions, while Marks is back after a strong 2025 season. Together, they give the Texans a backfield that looks built for volume, balance, and situational effectiveness.
Montgomery’s 2025 season with Detroit showed exactly why he matters. Even while splitting carries with Jahmyr Gibbs, he remained highly productive, especially near the goal line and in short-yardage spots.
He finished with 158 carries for 716 yards, eight touchdowns, and 41 first downs, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. That kind of efficiency in a shared role is valuable, and Houston could lean on him in a similar way alongside Marks.
Marks, meanwhile, already proved he can handle a significant workload. In 2025, he and Nick Chubb were Houston’s top options out of the backfield, and the rookie held up well.
He ran for 703 yards on 196 carries, scored two touchdowns, picked up 39 first downs, and averaged 3.6 yards per carry. That’s a solid foundation for a first-year player, especially one asked to help carry a major part of the offense.
Now entering his second season, Marks should have a better feel for how to produce in the league, and he’ll also have the benefit of working alongside a veteran in Montgomery. That combination gives Houston a chance to be more balanced and more dangerous.
If Montgomery and Marks can consistently move the chains, the ripple effect for the Texans could be significant. Defenses would have to crowd closer to the line of scrimmage, which would open more room downfield for Stroud to connect with Nico Collins, Kayshon Boutte, and Dalton Schultz. It would also give Stroud more easy completions and, in turn, more confidence as the season goes on.
For Houston, that matters because steady offensive growth is what can carry a team into January with real momentum. If the running game does its part in 2026, the Texans may finally have the kind of support system around Stroud that helps them push toward the first AFC Championship Game appearance in franchise history.
In Other News...
Texans Enter Week 1 With A Roster Problem Fans Cant Ignore
The Texans got their Week 1 roster down to 53, and the shape of it says plenty about how this start to the season is being managed. Houston kept two quarterbacks in C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills, while carrying an unusually heavy group of five tight ends, a sign the staff is piecing together depth with the opener looming and multiple parts of the offense still in flux.
Tank Dell and Braden Smith landing on injured reserve only adds to the early-season squeeze, since both will be out for at least four games. With the roster already set, the Texans still have room to keep adjusting the quarterback room and tight end usage as the weeks go on, and those decisions could become one of the more closely watched parts of the early schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Rookie Is Already Earning The Kind Of Praise Fans Notice
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For Houston, those words matter because they hint at a young lineman who is already earning trust before the games count. Rutledge has been getting a steady dose of work in training camp against top-level defenders, and that daily test has only added to the sense that he could become a meaningful piece of the offensive line sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Just Drew Serious AFC Praise That Will Spark Debate
The Texans have spent the offseason building the kind of roster that gets attention well beyond Houston, and one anonymous NFL executive may have taken that respect to its highest level yet. In a recent assessment, the suggestion was that Houston could own the best overall roster in the AFC, a claim that naturally puts the Texans in the same conversation as Buffalo and the rest of the conferences heavyweights.
C.J. Stroud changes the equation, even if the gap at quarterback remains the obvious point of debate against Josh Allen and the Bills. Houstons case is rooted in how complete the team has started to look, with a strong defense and a better supporting cast on offense giving Stroud a more stable foundation as the upcoming season approaches. [Read more 🡒]