The Houston Texans have plenty to feel good about after the way 2025 played out, especially on defense. That side of the ball held up in a big way, with the run defense staying firm, the secondary playing tight coverage, and the pass rush doing what it does best.
The offense, though, needs a different kind of jump in 2026. The biggest issue is the ground game, which never really found its footing last season without Joe Mixon and with an offensive line that struggled to open lanes.
The clearest sign of that problem was the Texans’ yards per attempt. Houston finished with just 3.9 yards per carry in 2025, which put the team 29th in the NFL and in the bottom four league-wide. Only the San Francisco 49ers at 3.8, the New Orleans Saints at 3.7, and the Las Vegas Raiders at 3.6 were worse.
That company says plenty. The Texans weren’t lacking in effort, either.
They ranked 14th in the league in rushing attempts, but the production just wasn’t there. Woody Marks and Nick Chubb led a run game that never rose above average, and the reasons were easy to spot: a shaky offensive line, an injured lead back, and backups who weren’t built to carry a highly effective rushing attack.
Marks did solid work as a fourth-round rookie, but Chubb was mostly underwhelming and may have already played his final NFL season.
Houston clearly treated the run game like a priority this offseason. The biggest move was trading for David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions, a back who could become a major piece if he bounces back from a low-usage, low-production season in Detroit.
The Texans also attacked the offensive line with an eye toward improving the run blocking. Braden Smith is known as a strong run blocker, Wyatt Teller brings that same reputation, and first-round pick Keylan Rutledge has the tools to grow into that kind of player as he adjusts to the NFL. Ed Ingram also deserves mention after finishing 2025 ranked inside the top 10 among eligible guards in PFF run-blocking grade.
That gives Houston a much better foundation than it had going into 2025. The backfield has more talent and better health, and the linemen in front of them appear better suited to moving people in the run game.
If Montgomery can handle lead-back duties at age 29 and Marks gives the Texans a useful complementary threat with explosive-play ability, Houston’s efficiency on the ground should climb.
That would matter for everyone on offense, including C.J. Stroud, who could benefit from more play action and cleaner early-down situations. If that happens, the Texans’ offense could reach a much higher level.
In Other News...
Texans Suddenly Have A Linebacker Problem They Can't Ignore
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Several candidates are in the mix, and this one may not be settled quickly. The Texans will spend the next few weeks sorting through who can handle the role, and the decision could ripple into late-August roster calls as the team weighs which depth linebackers are worth keeping for Week 1. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Fans Wont Believe This Early Stroud Prediction
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The idea hinges on Baker Mayfield putting together a big year in Tampa Bay and then becoming available again, which would give the Texans a veteran option with a Texas connection. Baileys broader point is that Houston could eventually be forced to choose between committing big money to Stroud or looking for a shorter, cheaper path at quarterback, and that kind of speculation is exactly the sort of thing that keeps a long offseason conversation alive. [Read more 🡒]
DeAndre Hopkins Could Be Helping Someone Texans Fans Wont Like
DeAndre Hopkins may be back in the football conversation in a different way, and it is one Texans fans will notice even if it has nothing to do with Houstons sideline. Mike Vrabel confirmed the situation and, given the connection between the two from their time together in Houston and later in Tennessee, Hopkins remains linked to a coach who knows exactly what he can bring to a room.
For Texans supporters, the more immediate takeaway is what is not happening. There is no indication Hopkins is headed toward a coaching role in Houston, and the team has not shown interest in adding coaches to its offensive staff. Still, the idea of Hopkins moving into that kind of role elsewhere is the sort of development that naturally sends Houston fans back to a familiar name and wondering what it might mean down the road. [Read more 🡒]