Texans' Free Agency Priorities: Joe Mixon’s Future, O-Line Reinforcements, and a Potential Star in the Backfield
With free agency officially opening on March 11, the Houston Texans are staring down a pivotal offseason. After a 2025 campaign that saw their rushing attack fall flat and their offensive line struggle to protect C.J.
Stroud, it’s clear the front office has work to do. The Texans have a young franchise quarterback, a rising defense, and playoff aspirations - but they’ll need to make some early moves in free agency to keep that momentum building.
Here’s a breakdown of the three most pressing decisions facing Houston when the market opens.
1. Joe Mixon: Time for Clarity
Joe Mixon’s status has been one of the lingering mysteries of the Texans’ 2025 season. After being acquired with hopes of anchoring the backfield, Mixon never suited up due to a foot injury that first surfaced last summer.
The team remained quiet throughout the season, and while there was always a sliver of hope he might return, it never materialized. The result?
Houston’s run game plummeted from middle-of-the-pack in 2024 to one of the league’s least productive units in 2025.
Now, with the offseason in full swing, it’s decision time.
General Manager Nick Caserio recently acknowledged the uncertainty, saying the team still needs to evaluate Mixon’s physical condition. “We’re, at some point, probably going to see Joe for an evaluation to kind of see where he is,” Caserio said.
“Honestly, Joe worked really hard to try and get himself ready... We’ll see if he’s physically able to do it or not.”
That doesn’t exactly scream confidence, and with free agency looming, the Texans can’t afford to wait much longer. If Mixon isn’t ready - or if the team simply wants a fresh start - moving on would free up around $8 million in cap space. That’s real money that could be used to shore up other areas, including a backfield that desperately needs a spark.
2. Reinforce the Offensive Line - Cade Mays a Fit?
Protecting your quarterback is rule number one in today’s NFL, and the Texans didn’t do nearly enough of that in 2025. C.J.
Stroud took more hits than any young quarterback should, and the offensive line struggled to create consistent running lanes. If Houston wants to take the next step, reinforcements up front are a must.
One name that’s gaining traction is Panthers center Cade Mays. The former sixth-round pick from 2022 has developed into a solid interior lineman, and he’d bring a physical edge to a unit that’s lacked consistency. Adding Mays would likely mean Jake Andrews, the current starter, gets bumped down the depth chart - but that’s the kind of competition you want in the trenches.
Financially, Mays won’t come cheap. Spotrac projects his next deal to land around $12.2 million per year.
But with some strategic cap maneuvering - think cuts, restructures, or backloaded contracts - the Texans could make it work. And if they’re serious about keeping Stroud upright and building a balanced offense, this is the kind of investment that makes sense.
3. A New Star in the Backfield? Enter Breece Hall
If the Texans do decide to move on from Joe Mixon, they’ll need to find a new lead back - and Breece Hall could be the answer.
The Jets running back appears to be on the way out of New York, and he’s made it clear he wants to play for a contender. Hall’s career has been a bit of a rollercoaster, largely due to the dysfunction around him, but the talent has never been in question. He just topped 1,000 rushing yards for the first time and has now posted at least 800 yards and four touchdowns in each of his first three seasons.
At just 25 years old, Hall is entering his prime, and he’d bring a dynamic presence to the Texans’ offense. He’s got the speed to break big plays, the vision to find daylight, and the hands to contribute in the passing game. In short, he’d be a major upgrade.
Like Mays, Hall won’t be a bargain-bin signing. Spotrac projects his next deal at around $10.5 million annually. But for a team that needs to raise its offensive ceiling, pairing Hall with Stroud could be a game-changer.
The Bottom Line
The Texans are no longer in rebuild mode - they’re in “let’s go win” mode. That means tough decisions, smart spending, and a willingness to be aggressive when the right opportunity presents itself. Whether it’s finally resolving the Joe Mixon situation, investing in a more reliable offensive line, or going after a potential star like Breece Hall, the first day of free agency could set the tone for Houston’s entire offseason.
March 11 is coming fast. The Texans have the cap space, the young core, and the momentum. Now it’s about making the right moves to keep pushing forward.