With the 2024 season officially concluded, the Philadelphia Eagles completed the job by dismantling the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LIX.
What does this mean? Well, the 2025 season is officially underway as 31 other fanbases hope to stand where Philly was hoisting the Lombardi on Sunday night next season in Santa Clara, Cali.
Rankings mean nothing at the moment, but ESPN recently dropped their “way too early” power rankings entering the offseason. The Houston Texans, who fell short once more to the No. 1 seed in the divisional round, found themselves in a familiar spot entering February at No. 11.
“After throwing for 4,108 yards (eighth in the NFL) and 23 touchdowns (13th) in 2023, [C.J.] Stroud finished this season with 3,727 passing yards (15th) and 20 passing touchdowns (tied for 15th). This offseason is about putting him in a position to surpass his rookie totals. The Texans fired offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and hired former Rams passing game coordinator and tight ends coach Nick Caley to get a system better suited for Stroud and others. The next step is fixing an offensive line that gave up 52 sacks on Stroud.”
Everything entering 2025 is built around Stroud. The Texans realized that after regression set in last fall, offensive consistency would be essential to his growth.
Defensively, Houston should remain in a decent spot. Nine starters are signed back for next season, including Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward, who suffered season-ending injuries ahead of the playoffs. All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. should be back on a new deal and serve as the base for a foundation between younger and older players.
The big question turns to the future of Stefon Diggs. While multiple Texans players have voiced their thoughts on a reunion, the market could dictate the outcome. Diggs is set to hit free agency and still could command top dollar despite coming off a torn ACL.
Stroud should have a say on the Texans’ decision with Diggs. He mentioned that the duo was hitting their stride before Week 8’s ACL tear cost their rapport a year of promise.
Diggs, who finished with 47 catches for 496 yards and four total touchdowns, could return on a one-year deal to better his market for 2026 while remaining with a contending team.
If he chooses to leave, Houston must pivot toward the NFL draft to find a stable No. 2 weapon.