The NFL moves at breakneck speed. One moment, you’re the centerpiece of a rebuild and the next, you’re a "cap casualty" or a "pending free agent" whose locker is being eyed by a rookie. As the Houston Texans transition from a feel-good underdog story into a perennial AFC powerhouse, the 2026 offseason looms as a major pivot point for GM Nick Caserio and Coach DeMeco Ryans.

With major extensions for C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. on the horizon, the bill is coming due. Here are my five veteran mainstays who may, for reasons of age, cost, or roster evolution, likely won't be wearing Deep Steel Blue in 2026.

The Situation: Under contract for 2026, but the cap savings are impossible to ignore. Joe Mixon was the engine of the 2024 ground game, providing the veteran toughness Stroud needed to stay balanced. However, by the 2026 offseason, Mixon will be 30 years old—the dreaded "cliff" for NFL running backs.

The Texans can save roughly $8 million against the cap by releasing or trading him before the 2026 season begins. Given that the roster already features younger, cheaper options like Woody Marks and Jawhar Jordan, Houston will likely look to the draft for a fresh pair of legs rather than paying a premium for a back with significant tread on the tires.

The Situation: Pending Free Agent / Potential Odd Man Out. Acquired via trade to provide a veteran security blanket, Christian Kirk’s tenure in Houston has been a mixed bag. While he provides a professional presence in the slot, the emergence of Tank Dell as a superstar and the development of younger targets like Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel make Kirk an expensive luxury.

With Nico Collins locked into a massive deal, paying top-tier money to keep a 30-year-old Kirk in free agency doesn't fit the Texans' current "build through the draft" philosophy. Expect Houston to let him test the market while they pivot to younger, more explosive speedsters.

The Situation: Entering the twilight of his career on an expiring deal. Jimmie Ward was the "culture setter" DeMeco Ryans brought over from San Francisco to teach the "H-Town Made" defense. He’s been a coach on the field, but by 2026, he will be 34 years old.

Safety is a young man’s game, and the Texans have already begun preparing for life after Ward by drafting high-upside players like Calen Bullock and Kamari Lassiter (who can flex into the secondary). Ward’s leadership is invaluable, but in 2026, it’s more likely he’ll be looking at retirement or a "victory lap" veteran minimum deal elsewhere.

The Situation: Age and durability concerns on an expiring contract. Nick Caserio famously called Autry a "junkyard dog," and he’s lived up to the billing when healthy. The problem is that "when healthy" has become an increasingly rare caveat. Between minor injuries and the wear and tear of a decade-plus in the trenches, Autry will be 36 years old when the 2026 season kicks off.

Houston’s defensive line is becoming the most expensive unit on the team. With Will Anderson Jr. needing a mega-extension and Danielle Hunter's massive cap hit, there simply isn't room for a 36-year-old rotational lineman, regardless of how much Ryans loves his grit.

The Situation: Seeking a starting opportunity elsewhere. It’s easy to forget that Davis Mills was once the "face of the franchise" during the dark years. To his credit, he has been an exemplary backup to Stroud, even winning crucial games in relief. But Mills is 27, and his recent one-year, $7 million extension suggests the Texans value him highly as a "QB2."

The 2026 offseason is when Mills likely decides he’s too young to spend his prime holding a clipboard. With teams constantly desperate for bridge starters, Mills will likely seek a path to a starting job in free agency, while the Texans move forward with 2025 draftee Graham Mertz as the cost-controlled backup.

Success in the NFL requires cold-blooded decision-making. To keep the Stroud-Anderson window open for a decade, the Texans must say goodbye to some of veterans who helped build the foundation.