C.J. Stroud might be entering the 2026 season with more than just a fresh haircut-he could be stepping into a pivotal year for both himself and the Houston Texans offense.
Let’s rewind to 2025. Houston’s season had plenty of positives, but it was the defense that consistently carried the weight.
While the offense had its moments, it often lacked rhythm and explosiveness. Stroud, coming off a promising rookie campaign, faced his share of criticism for what many saw as a plateau in development.
The passing game didn’t evolve the way fans hoped, and the run game struggled to provide balance.
One major blow came before the season even got off the ground. Veteran running back Joe Mixon, expected to be a key piece in the Texans’ offensive puzzle, never saw the field. A foot injury initially projected to sideline him for just four games ultimately cost him the entire season-18 games gone, and with them, a major chunk of Houston’s backfield production.
That void in the run game had ripple effects. Without a legitimate threat out of the backfield, opposing defenses didn’t have to respect the run, and they teed off on Stroud.
The Texans leaned heavily on gap-scheme runs-calling them at the second-highest rate in the league (37%)-but the results weren’t there. Houston ranked 30th in the NFL in percentage of runs gaining 10 or more yards, managing just 7.3%.
Simply put, the Texans couldn’t generate chunk plays on the ground, and defenses knew it.
That’s where Breece Hall enters the conversation.
At just 24 years old, Hall represents the kind of dynamic threat that could transform Houston’s offense. He’s younger than Mixon by five years and has already flashed elite potential during his time with the New York Jets. Hall’s been one of those players who looks like he’s ready to break out-if only he had the right system and supporting cast.
According to Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus, Houston could be the ideal landing spot. While he also mentioned the Saints as a potential fit, it’s the Texans’ scheme that might unlock Hall’s full potential.
His skill set fits a variety of systems, but in Houston’s gap-heavy approach, he could thrive. Hall has the vision, burst, and home-run ability that the Texans were sorely missing in 2025.
Adding a player like Hall wouldn’t just upgrade the run game-it would take pressure off Stroud, open up play-action opportunities, and force defenses to play more honestly. That’s the kind of move that could reshape the identity of this offense.
With the offensive line already revamped last offseason, the next logical step is finding a back who can take advantage of the holes they’re creating. If Houston can land Hall, they wouldn’t just be filling a need-they’d be adding a potential game-changer.
As the Texans head into a crucial offseason, all eyes will be on how they build around their young quarterback. And if Breece Hall ends up in Houston, don’t be surprised if this offense takes a major step forward in 2026.