The Houston Texans’ season ended Saturday in the divisional round.
C.J. Stroud was sacked eight times in Houston’s 23-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Texans running back Joe Mixon registered 88 rushing yards and one touchdown. While Texans pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. had four tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks in the defeat.
It’s the second-straight year the Texans’ season ended in the divisional round of the playoffs.
The back-to-back AFC South champions will now enter the offseason with questions and needs on both sides of the football. What’s next for the Texans as they prepare for the 2025 season? USA TODAY Sports explores.
Houston Texans key free agents
Stefon Diggs
The Texans adjusted Diggs contract shortly after trading for the wide receiver, essentially making the pact a one-year deal. Diggs first season with the Texans got cut short after just eight games due to a knee injury.
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Diggs wasn’t the only one to suffer an injury. Houston’s wide receiver room was ravaged by injuries this season. Nico Collins missed time this year and Tank Dell suffered a gruesome knee injury in December. When the Texans are whole, they have one of the best receiving corps in the NFL.
The Texans must decide whether or not they want to run it back with Diggs.
Folorunso Fatukasi
The defensive tackle started 11 games in first year in Houston. He registered 24 tackles and four tackles for loss. He’s started 63 games in seven seasons with the Jets, Jaguars and Texans.
Derek Barnett
Texans offseason preview: 3 moves to make
Upgrade offensive line
C.J. Stroud was sacked an AFC-most 52 times this season. He was battered and bruised by Kansas City in the division round loss.
The Texans have to beef up their O-line and protect their franchise QB better. There are multiple quality interior linemen available in free agency, including Bucs guard Ben Bredeson and Colts center Ryan Kelly.
Houston could turn to the 2025 NFL draft to get a quality guard in the first round or in the second round like Alabama’s Tyler Booker or Georgia’s Tate Ratledge.
Re-sign Stefon Diggs
It would behoove the Texans to re-sign Diggs, especially because Dell could miss all of next season as he recovers from a severe knee injury.
Collins was leading the NFL in receiving yards before because placed on IR with a hamstring injury. Collins’ emergence was attributed to Diggs being on the field. Collins and Diggs are both high-volume receivers who can create good separation.
Add depth along D-line
Anderson (11 sacks) and Danielle Hunter (12) were the only pair of AFC teammates each with 11 sacks this season. The two accounted for almost half of Houston’s sacks. Where the Texans need help is in the interior. Bengals free-agent DT B.J. Hill would make an instant impact in Houston.
Texans draft needs
Here’s what Houston can
Offensive line
Defensive tackle
Wide receiver
The Texans have six picks in the 2025 NFL draft.
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 5 (From Buffalo)
Round 7
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