3 players Texans must re-sign this offseason after flaming out of playoffs

The Houston Texans sustained their playoff relevance in 2025. Twelve wins, a division title, and a roster that looks built to contend for years all reinforced the idea that DeMeco Ryans has turned Houston into one of the AFC’s most structurally sound franchises. However, the NFL has a way of humbling even the best-laid plans. After another postseason flameout, the Texans now face the most delicate part of roster building. They have to decide which complementary pieces are essential to sustaining a championship window and which can be replaced without consequence.

Confirming Houston’s rise

The Texans’ 2025 regular season was a statement. Finishing 12-5 and winning the AFC South, Houston validated its ascent from promising upstart to legitimate powerhouse. CJ Stroud operated with poise and precision in an offense that ranked among the league’s most efficient. The supporting cast functioned exactly as Ryans envisioned. They were explosive on offense, disciplined on defense, and ruthless when playing with a lead. Houston’s ability to close games became a defining trait. It was fueled by a pass rush that consistently collapsed pockets and a secondary that punished mistakes.

That momentum carried into the Wild Card round. That’s where the Texans dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers in a performance that felt like a changing-of-the-guard moment. Everything worked. Stroud was surgical, the defense was suffocating, and the game was never truly in doubt. For a week, Houston looked like a team destined to make a deep January run.

Familiar frustration

Then came Foxborough. In freezing rain against the New England Patriots, the Texans unraveled in the Divisional Round. They lost, 28-16, in a game that spiraled quickly. Stroud, normally unflappable, threw a career-high four interceptions. Sadly, the offense never recovered. Sure, Ryans’ defense battled admirably and kept the score within reach for stretches. However, the turnovers proved fatal. The loss was jarring because it came from self-inflicted wounds.

Still, perspective matters. One bad afternoon does not erase a 12-win season or the reality that the Texans are now annual contenders. The challenge heading into 2026 is refinement. The Texans need to tighten the margins, preserve chemistry, and ensure that key contributors who fit Ryans’ identity remain in place.

Houston’s offseason priorities

Houston’s roster-building approach under Ryans has leaned heavily on targeted free-agent additions. That success now creates its own pressure. Several contributors are set to hit the open market, including offensive linemen, linebackers, and multiple defensive front players. The Texans are projected to have roughly $13.3 million in cap space. That figure could shrink quickly if early extensions for Stroud or Will Anderson Jr are prioritized.

The silver lining is flexibility. None of Houston’s free agents are guaranteed to command top-of-market deals. Many can be classified as replaceable depth. Of course, a few players provide value that goes beyond raw production. These are players whose skill sets, leadership, and schematic fit are difficult to replicate. Those are the contracts Houston must prioritize.

DE/DT Denico Autry

Key stats: 3.5 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 4 quarterback hits.

Autry continues to be a problem-solver on Houston’s defensive front. That’s even if he is nolonger among this team’s marquee sack artists. Ryans deployed him as an edge on early downs and interior rusher in passing situations. Autry delivered consistent disruption. His ability to slide across the line kept protections guessing. This also ensured that Will Anderson Jr and Danielle Hunter rarely faced constant double-teams.

Don’t let his numbers fool you. Autry’s value lies in versatility and leadership. With multiple interior linemen also approaching free agency, letting Autry walk would strip the defense of both its tactical flexibility. Ryans’ system thrives on interchangeable fronts. Autry is the glue that makes that possible.

P Tommy Townsend

Key stats: 47.6 net punting average, 30 punts inside the 20.

Townsend was more than a specialist. He was a true weapon. In close games, his ability to flip field position consistently forced opposing offenses into long fields against one of the league’s toughest defenses. That advantage quietly fueled multiple wins during Houston’s campaign.

Playoff football magnifies special teams. Houston felt that reality in Foxborough. Townsend fits the Texans’ complementary-football philosophy perfectly. Replacing him would risk undoing a subtle but critical advantage.

LB Christian Harris

Key stats: 11 total tackles, 1 pass defensed.

Much like Autry, the numbers don’t do Harris justice. Obejctively speaking, he remains a dynamic linebacker even after his injury. His range and coverage ability allowed Houston to defend the middle of the field against modern AFC offenses.

At 25, Harris can still be part of the future of the Texans’ second level. His speed and versatility are foundational traits in Ryans’ defense. With other linebackers aging toward their 30s, losing Harris would create a long-term problem disguised as a short-term savings.

Keep the window open

The Texans don’t need to overhaul their roster to take the next step. They just need continuity in the right places. Re-signing Denico Autry, Tommy Townsend, and Christian Harris wouldn’t break the bank. This would also preserve the structural integrity of a team built to win now and later. In a league where contention is fleeting, Houston’s smartest move this offseason is simple: protect what already works.

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