Houston Texans Enter Pivotal Season with Core Contracts on the Clock
The 2026 season hasn’t even kicked off yet, but for the Houston Texans, the stakes are already sky-high. This isn’t just another year-it’s a defining chapter for a franchise that’s built itself into a contender behind a young, dynamic core. Now, with a wave of key contracts set to expire, the Texans are staring down a critical moment in their evolution.
We’re entering year four of the DeMeco Ryans-C.J. Stroud-Will Anderson Jr. era, and the foundation they've laid is undeniable: three straight trips to the AFC Divisional Round, a rejuvenated fan base, and a roster that’s become one of the league’s most balanced and exciting. But with a long list of key contributors entering the final year of their deals, the front office-led by GM Nick Caserio-has some tough decisions ahead.
The Expiring Contracts That Could Reshape Houston
Let’s start with the names. It’s a mix of homegrown talent and savvy acquisitions, and it reads like a roll call of the Texans’ current identity:
- Tytus Howard, the right tackle drafted back in 2019, has been a steady presence on the offensive line.
- Dalton Schultz, a 2023 free-agent pickup, has become a reliable target in the middle of the field.
- Danielle Hunter, added in 2024, has brought veteran pass-rushing juice to an already dangerous front.
- Azeez Al-Shaair, Mario Edwards, and Tommy Togiai-all 2024 additions-have helped fortify the defense.
- Joe Mixon, acquired via trade in 2024, added experience and versatility to the backfield.
- Ka’imi Fairbairn, a fixture since 2016, has been one of the league’s more consistent kickers.
- Davis Mills, who once looked like a stopgap, has quietly carved out a cult following with clutch performances.
- And then there’s the 2023 draft class trio of Tank Dell, Henry To’oTo’o, and Xavier Hutchinson, all of whom have flashed serious potential.
This group represents more than just roster depth-they're the heartbeat of a team that’s been knocking on the door of greatness. And now, that door is either going to swing wide open or start to close, depending on how the Texans handle this next stretch.
The NFL Reality: You Can’t Keep Everyone
Here’s the hard truth: not all of these players will be back in 2027. That’s the price of success.
When you draft well and hit on free agents, eventually the bill comes due. Cap space becomes a puzzle, and continuity starts to bend under the weight of contract negotiations.
For Caserio and the Texans’ front office, this is the moment to thread the needle. Lock in the right players, let go of the right ones, and keep the window open while Stroud is still on a rookie deal and the core is in its prime.
The challenge? The Texans have built something special, but they haven’t broken through.
Three straight playoff runs have ended short of the AFC Championship. And with a conference that’s seen some traditional powers take a step back, the time to strike is now.
Legacy and Loyalty on the Line
For guys like Howard and Fairbairn-holdovers from the pre-Ryans era-this season might be their last shot at being part of something historic in Houston. They’ve weathered the rebuild, seen the lows, and helped lay the groundwork for what’s come next. To not be around for the payoff would sting.
Danielle Hunter, already building a Hall of Fame résumé, has a real chance to chase a ring next to Will Anderson Jr. on what could be one of the league’s most fearsome defensive fronts. That pairing has the potential to terrorize quarterbacks deep into January-if the team can keep it together.
Then there’s Tank Dell. His first three seasons have been riddled with injuries, and yet the flashes have been electric.
When healthy, he and Stroud look like they were made to play together-precision timing, explosive plays, and a chemistry that’s rare. It would be a shame if injuries robbed fans of seeing that duo reach its full potential.
And don’t forget Davis Mills. Once written off, he became something of a folk hero last season with a 3-0 stretch that kept the Texans’ playoff hopes alive. He’s not the face of the franchise, but he’s a part of its story-and maybe still has a chapter left to write.
The Clock Is Ticking
Every player on that list has a stake in where this team is headed. They’ve helped build this thing from the ground up, and the hope-inside the locker room and across the fan base-is that they’ll get to see it through.
Caserio and company will almost certainly bring back a handful of these players. That much feels inevitable.
But with so many contracts converging at once, not everyone will make the cut. That’s the business side of the NFL, and it’s never easy-especially when the roster is this close to something special.
What happens next will shape the Texans’ trajectory for years to come. Whether it ends with a parade through downtown Houston or a painful reset, one thing’s for sure: this version of the Texans is on the clock. And the countdown has already begun.