The Houston Texans have quietly become one of the NFL's most intriguing teams over the past few seasons. While they haven't reached the Super Bowl or even the AFC Championship Game, their consistent playoff appearances over the last three years set them apart from much of the league. Yet, as the 2026 season looms, skepticism surrounds them.
The Texans have been knocking on the door, but the Divisional Round has been their stopping point for three consecutive years. This offseason, General Manager Nick Caserio has been proactive, targeting the offensive line in free agency and bolstering the backfield with the acquisition of David Montgomery. These moves have given Houston some flexibility heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, where they could still focus on further strengthening their offensive line.
Houston's roster is not only improved but healthier, with key players like Tank Dell returning. Despite these positive changes and owning three picks in the first two rounds of the draft, the Texans were notably absent from The Athletic's list of teams poised for a Super Bowl run in 2026. That list included the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, and San Francisco 49ers, with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an honorable mention.
While Denver, LA, and San Francisco are strong contenders, it's worth arguing that Houston deserves to be in the conversation, especially alongside Buffalo in the AFC. The Texans' defense has outperformed expectations and has had success against Josh Allen in recent matchups.
The inclusion of Kansas City is surprising given their struggles in 2026 and potential early-season absence of Patrick Mahomes. As for the Steelers being mentioned over the Texans, it raises eyebrows.
Houston may not have the spotlight, but their offseason moves and playoff pedigree suggest they're ready to make some noise this season. Keep an eye on this team as they look to finally break through that Divisional Round barrier.