An expert calls the Texans' offseason moves a detriment to C.J. Stroud, prioritizing defense over bolstering his offensive protection.
The Houston Texans are moving fast in free agency after several trades, signings and restructures in the first few days of March. It's a win for the team overall, but one NFL expert thinks it's a loss for Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud.
ESPN NFL analyst Bill Barnwell is aware that the Texans are making big moves this offseason. However, he's also aware that they are happening mostly on the defensive side, with one move actually working to the detriment of the offseason.
Barnwell wrote the following of the Texans' early offseason moves labeling C.J. Stroud as one of the league's losers of free agency.
"For the third straight time, the Texans' season ended in the divisional round with an opposing defense teeing off on Stroud. For the third consecutive offseason, Texans general manager Nick Caserio entered March knowing he needed to solidify things around his young quarterback. Two years ago, he traded for Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs. Last year, Caserio completely (and understandably) tore up most of his offensive line; four of Houston's five most-used linemen in 2025 were new to the team.
This year, it's harder to make sense of what Caserio is doing. The Texans did trade former first-round pick Tytus Howard (who bounced between guard and right tackle as needed over the past few years) and gave up on former second-round selection Juice Scruggs at guard as part of a trade for Lions running back David Montgomery. Those moves might have been inevitable; Howard has wanted to play right tackle."
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) after the game against the New England Patriots in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium. David Butler II-Imagn ImagesThere are varying schools of thought when it comes to team building. Some believe a team should build around its quarterback while others believe in giving the quarterback a strong defense. It appears the Texans are going with the latter approach.
While defense is the strength of the Texans of late and improving the defense certainly improves a team overall, it's hard to argue against Barnwell's contention. Stroud will now have to operate without a very good offensive tackle even if it comes with the addition of former Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery.
The Texans' projected squad, pending more moves, should return to the postseason barring significant disappointment. They will have a defense strong enough to carry the team like they did in the 2025 season. Even so, Stroud probably would have hoped his team would have more help on the offensive side to facilitate more production.
The offseason is not over, but so far, the Texans' early moves are geared toward upgrading the defense.