C.J. Stroud is heading into the 2026 season with more than just a fresh haircut-he’s got something to prove.
The Houston Texans made strides in 2025, but it was their defense that carried the weight, while the offense struggled to keep pace. At the center of that underwhelming attack was Stroud, who faced heavy criticism for what many saw as a lack of development in his sophomore campaign.
The offense looked flat too often, and the spark that fans hoped would emerge just never fully ignited.
Now, as the Texans look toward the offseason, there’s a sense that more changes could be on the way-especially on the offensive side of the ball. Last year, they invested in revamping the offensive line, but that alone wasn’t enough to jumpstart the run game or take pressure off their young quarterback.
One major blow? The absence of veteran running back Joe Mixon, who missed the entire season with a mysterious foot injury.
Initially expected to be sidelined for just a few games, Mixon ended up missing all 18, leaving a major void in Houston’s backfield.
With Mixon’s future uncertain, the Texans could be in the market for a dynamic new presence in the run game. Enter Breece Hall.
According to Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus, Houston stands out as the top potential landing spot for the New York Jets running back, should he become available. Cameron also mentioned the New Orleans Saints as a possible fit, but emphasized that Hall’s versatility makes him a strong candidate for a variety of offensive systems.
And Hall’s skill set would be right at home in Houston. The Texans leaned heavily on gap-scheme runs last season-calling them at the second-highest rate in the league (37%).
But despite the commitment to the ground game, they struggled to generate explosive plays. Houston ranked 30th in the NFL in percentage of runs that gained 10 or more yards, managing just 7.3%.
That lack of big-play potential allowed opposing defenses to load up the box and zero in on Stroud, knowing they didn’t have to worry about getting burned by a home-run hitter out of the backfield.
That’s where Hall could make a real difference. At just 24 years old, he’s five years younger than Mixon and already has a proven track record of production-despite being in a Jets offense that often felt like it was holding him back more than helping him shine. Hall’s blend of vision, burst, and pass-catching ability makes him a natural fit for a Texans team that needs more juice in the backfield and a reliable outlet for their young quarterback.
A change of scenery could be exactly what Hall needs to unlock the next level of his game-and Houston might be the perfect place for that breakout to happen. If the Texans are serious about taking the next step in 2026, pairing Stroud with a weapon like Hall could be the kind of move that shifts the balance of power in the AFC South.