A game for the Texans’ offseason. This might actually be suitable for work.
Welcome to the Houston Texans’ 2025 offseason. After a season that didn’t quite go the way many hoped, the Texans find themselves facing a lot of personnel decisions. They once again got to the NFL “Elite Eight”, but for the sixth time in franchise history, they didn’t make it to a conference title game. The goal is to get beyond the Divisional Round, and ideally, win the next two games after that.
While we don’t know if the Texans’ front office is actually playing this game, we, the outside reading public, can play along with the home version of “Trade, Cut, Extend.” This is how we try to assess what actions the Texans can undertake to improve the roster and get the team to the promised land of Super Bowl glory.
Right now, Houston faces a few more difficulties than in seasons past. In particular, the squad has little to no significant cap space (estimates, depending on the source, vary from $3M in cap space to ~$2M over the cap). However, there remain some rather glaring deficiencies on the roster, especially on the offensive line. Additionally, the Texans have some draft picks, but eventually, they will need cap relief and the possibility to obtain new talent/resources.
TRADE:
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LG Kenyon Green
The former first round draft pick has not had the ideal career in Houston. A combination of injuries and ineffectiveness made this past season critical to his future in Houston. Green most certainly did not meet the challenge. His pass-blocking, or severe lack thereof, did much to hinder the Texans’ offense, and then, he ended up missing the last half of the season with another injury. As a first rounder, Green could have his fifth year option picked up, but that seems unlikely. The team gave him every chance to lock down the left guard slot, but it got to the point that RT Tytus Howard had to cover that side of the line to end the season.
Kenyon Green would not be the first highly regarded offensive line prospect to fail to live up to the promise. Other first round busts like Isaiah Wilson and Jonathan Cooper got traded before their rookie contracts ran out, either for other players or a draft pick. Likely, Green would fetch a low draft pick, perhaps a seventh. Maybe the team gives him one last chance, but after three years, growth with Houston isn’t in Green’s future. Best to get what you can before you set him adrift for no return.
Other considerations for trade:
OT Laremy Tunsil: There’s been some actual internet chatter about this move, whether there’s any truth to it remains to be seen. He carries the highest cap hit on the squad. Mostly likely, we’ll see a restructuring of his deal, but if Houston does move him, it could save upwards of $21M in cap space depending on timing. Granted, that would leave Houston needing a LT, but Howard could slide to LT, where he’s played well at the times he’s manned the position, and a trade might provide ammunition to obtain a younger, quality option.
CUT:
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DL Denico Autry
Most sources indicate this a near fait accompli. Houston acquired Autry as part of a defensive spending spree last season, but he missed the 1st six games of the season due to suspension, and once he did see the field, he offered decent, but not great, production. With the Texans needing the cap space, a post-June 1st cut of Autry saves the squad nearly $9M in cap space. Maybe Autry comes back on a team-friendly deal, but his current deal mostly likely does not survive the offseason.
Other considerations to cut:
OG Shaq Mason: As bad as Green was, Mason’s year wasn’t all that much better. The overall offensive interior left much to be desired for Houston, and Mason, who rated among the league’s worst in sacks surrendered, could also yield some cap savings. A post-June 1st cut designation could yield ~$10M in cap savings. Again, another line spot to fill, but given his play, that might addition by subtraction.
EXTEND:
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CB Derek Stingley, Jr.
It seems a forgone conclusion that Houston will pick up his fifth year option. However, now might be the time that Caserio and his staff plan the inevitable contract extension for the All-Pro corner. Since the middle of his second season, Stingley rates among the best cover corners in the game, and can lock down just about any receiver in the game. If Houston wants to continue its long-term success plans, Stingley should be in the mix.
Other considerations to extend:
S Jalen Pitre: He’s had the yo-yo Texans experience, with stellar rookie season, a sophomore slump and a third season that showed long-term promise before a season-ending injury. Presuming that rehab went successfully, Pitre could offer some long-term stability at the safety position, especially with players like Jimmie Ward and Eric Murray slated to hit free agency. Perhaps Bullock overtook him on the depth chart, but a player like Pitre could be secured for a couple of years on a relatively team-friendly deal.
Just a few options in the game of “Trade, Cut, Extend.” However, this is but one take. Perhaps you see it differently. If so, let your (respectful) take populate the internet below.
ALL CAP/CONTRACT INFORMATION COURTESY OF OVERTHECAP.COM