Texans’ Offensive Line Rebuild: Part Two Begins Now
A year ago, the Houston Texans were in a tough spot. After allowing the third-most sacks in the NFL during the 2024 season, it was clear something had to give.
The offensive line wasn’t just underperforming-it was holding the entire operation back. So the front office made a bold call: overhaul the unit, even if that meant replacing four starters and rolling the dice on new faces rather than banking on continuity.
The gamble paid off.
In 2025, the Texans gave up just 31 sacks-down from 54 the year before. That 23-sack improvement was the second-largest in the league, trailing only the Chicago Bears, who made an even more dramatic leap. It wasn’t just a step forward; it was a leap that helped stabilize an offense led by a rising star in CJ Stroud.
But here’s the thing: progress doesn’t mean the job is done.
As the 2026 offseason approaches, Houston finds itself in a familiar position-once again staring down the need to upgrade the offensive line. The improvement from 2024 to 2025 was real, but it wasn’t enough to elevate the unit out of the bottom tier. According to Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Network, the Texans’ O-line still ranks in the bottom third of the league-27th and 24th, respectively.
The biggest concern? Run blocking.
Houston was one of just five teams that failed to average at least four yards per carry in 2025. And when it came to short-yardage situations-third or fourth and short-the line often struggled to generate the kind of push that keeps drives alive. That’s not just a stat; it’s a red flag for a team with playoff expectations and a young quarterback who needs balance in the offense.
The rest of the roster is in a good place. The defense is coming along, and Stroud has shown he's the real deal.
But if the offensive line stalls-or worse, regresses-it could derail everything. So what’s the plan?
How do the Texans take this line from “improved” to “reliable”?
Here are three moves that could get them there:
1. Re-Sign Ed Ingram
This one’s simple: keep your best lineman in the building. Ed Ingram was a revelation in 2025, playing at a near-Pro Bowl level after being acquired for a seventh-round pick.
That’s the kind of value you dream of in roster building. But now it’s time to pay the man.
Yes, it might cost Houston around $10 million a year to keep Ingram, but this isn’t the moment to get frugal. Continuity matters-especially when it’s continuity with a high-performing player.
Letting Ingram walk would mean starting over at a position that’s already been a revolving door. The Texans can’t afford that.
2. Use Pick No. 28 or 39 on a Premium Interior Lineman
The Texans don’t need to get cute in the draft. They need to get stronger in the trenches. Whether it’s a center or a guard, the goal is clear: find a plug-and-play starter with high upside.
Names like Vega Ioane (Penn State), Logan Jones (Iowa), Chase Bisontis (Texas A&M), or Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon) should be firmly on Houston’s radar. This isn’t about adding depth-it’s about finding a difference-maker who can help solidify the interior of the line for years to come.
With two picks in the top 40, the Texans have the draft capital to make a smart, safe investment in the heart of the offensive line. They shouldn’t overthink it.
3. Challenge Aireontae Ersery to Take the Next Step
Aireontae Ersery’s rookie season was a mixed bag. On the one hand, stepping in as the day-one starter at left tackle for a playoff-caliber team is no small feat. He held his own and showed flashes of why Houston took him in the second round.
But on the other hand, Ersery didn’t exactly scream “future star.” He was solid, not spectacular. And for a position as critical as left tackle, “solid” isn’t going to cut it long-term-especially when you’ve got a franchise quarterback to protect.
The Texans don’t need to panic about Ersery, but they do need to push him. Year Two is where you want to see a jump-not just in technique, but in confidence and consistency. If he plateaus, Houston could be forced to re-evaluate its long-term plans at the position.
The Bottom Line
The Texans’ offensive line rebuild isn’t over-it’s just moving into Phase Two. The urgency might feel different this time around, but it shouldn’t be.
If anything, the stakes are even higher now. CJ Stroud is ascending.
The defense is coming together. The AFC South is wide open.
Houston doesn’t need a top-five offensive line to compete. But it does need a unit that can protect its quarterback, open up the run game, and hold its own in the trenches when it matters most.
They made the right moves last offseason. Now it’s time to double down.