The Houston Texans made plenty of noise in 2025 - and not just the kind that fades after a hot start. With 12 wins, an AFC South crown, and a roster that looks more like a long-term blueprint than a one-season wonder, DeMeco Ryans has turned the Texans into one of the most stable and dangerous teams in the AFC.
But as every NFL contender learns, the climb is only half the battle. After another early playoff exit, Houston now faces the trickiest part of roster construction: figuring out which pieces are essential to keeping the window open and which can be replaced without derailing the whole operation.
Let’s be clear - the 2025 Texans weren’t just good, they were convincing. A 12-5 finish didn’t just secure the division; it confirmed that this team has moved beyond the “promising” label.
CJ Stroud looked like a seasoned vet, running one of the league’s most efficient offenses with confidence and control. The defense?
Disciplined, fast, and opportunistic. They knew how to close games, and they did it often.
The pass rush brought heat, the secondary cleaned up mistakes, and when Houston had a lead, they rarely let it slip away.
That momentum rolled right into the Wild Card round, where the Texans dismantled the Steelers in a game that felt like a statement. Stroud was surgical.
The defense suffocated Pittsburgh from the jump. It was one of those performances where everything clicks - and for a moment, it looked like Houston might be ready to crash the AFC’s elite tier.
Then came the trip to Foxborough.
In cold, wet conditions against the Patriots, the Texans came unglued. The 28-16 loss wasn’t just a defeat - it was a self-inflicted wound.
Stroud, so steady all year, threw four interceptions - a career high - and the offense never found its rhythm. The defense held its ground for as long as it could, but the turnovers were too much to overcome.
It was a tough pill to swallow, especially considering how sharp this team had looked just a week prior.
Still, one bad game doesn’t erase a 12-win campaign or the progress this team has made under Ryans. The Texans are in a good place - but good isn’t the goal.
The next step is about fine-tuning, not overhauling. And that means keeping the right pieces in place.
Houston’s front office has built this roster with precision, leaning on targeted free-agent signings to complement a strong young core. But success comes with a cost.
Several key contributors are set to hit free agency - from offensive linemen to linebackers to defensive linemen. With around $13.3 million in projected cap space, Houston has flexibility, but that number could shrink quickly if early extensions for cornerstone players like Stroud or Will Anderson Jr. get prioritized.
The good news? Most of Houston’s pending free agents aren’t likely to command top-dollar deals.
Some are replaceable depth. But a few?
They bring more than what shows up on the stat sheet. These are the guys who make the scheme work, who lead by example, who fit Ryans’ vision for this team.
And those are the players Houston can’t afford to lose.
Let’s take a closer look at three names that should be at the top of the Texans’ offseason priority list:
Denico Autry - Defensive Line
Key stats: 3.5 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 4 quarterback hits.
Don’t let the modest numbers fool you - Autry is one of the most important chess pieces on this defense. He’s not the sack leader anymore, but his impact is felt on every down.
Ryans used him creatively - on the edge early in downs, then inside when it was time to rush the passer. That versatility kept offensive lines guessing and made life easier for stars like Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, who rarely saw consistent double-teams thanks to Autry’s presence.
He’s the kind of player who doesn’t just fit the scheme - he enables it. Letting him walk would mean more than just losing a veteran lineman.
It would mean losing the flexibility that Ryans’ front thrives on. Autry’s value isn’t just in production - it’s in how he unlocks the rest of the defense.
Tommy Townsend - Punter
Key stats: 47.6 net punting average, 30 punts inside the 20.
Yes, we’re talking about a punter. And yes, it matters.
Townsend wasn’t just solid - he was a field-position weapon. In tight games, his ability to pin opponents deep gave Houston’s defense the upper hand time and time again.
It’s the kind of hidden edge that doesn’t show up in fantasy leagues but makes a real difference in January football.
Just look at what happened in Foxborough. Special teams can swing playoff games, and Townsend fits perfectly into Houston’s complementary football mindset.
He’s not just a punter - he’s a key part of how this team controls the game. Replacing him would be a gamble Houston doesn’t need to take.
Christian Harris - Linebacker
Key stats: 11 total tackles, 1 pass defensed.
The stat line doesn’t jump off the page, but Harris’ impact is undeniable. Even coming off injury, he showed the kind of range and coverage ability that’s tough to find in today’s game. He helped lock down the middle of the field - no small task in a conference loaded with athletic tight ends and versatile backs.
At just 25 years old, Harris is still ascending. His speed and versatility are tailor-made for Ryans’ system, and with other linebackers aging into their 30s, keeping Harris around is about more than just 2026 - it’s about stability for years to come. Letting him go might save money now, but it could create a much bigger problem down the line.
The Texans don’t need to blow anything up. They’ve already built something special.
The next step is about protecting what works - maintaining the chemistry, the flexibility, and the identity that got them here. Re-signing players like Autry, Townsend, and Harris won’t break the bank, but it could be the difference between another solid season and a real shot at a Super Bowl run.
In a league where windows close fast, Houston’s smartest move is to keep theirs propped wide open - by staying true to the formula that’s already working.