The production of the tight end position has been a hot topic of debate amongst the Texans fan base as of late, especially considering offensive coordinator Nick Caley's former position being that of a tight ends coach. 

Heading into 2026, fans are already projecting what the most productive path would be for the role in the second year of Caley's offense. 

Here are three of the possible scenarios (even some overlap) the team can run with:

Schultz first put on Deep Steel Blue in 2023 after spending his first five seasons as a Dallas Cowboy. 2021 was his best season in Big D, finishing with 78 catches (104 targets), 808 yards (10.4 avg) and eight touchdowns. 

After three years with the Texans, Schultz has racked up 194 catches (279 targets), 1,944 yards (10.1 avg per game, per season) and 10 touchdowns. 

He had his best year in Houston this past season, with 82 receptions (career high), 777 yards (second most in a season in career) and three touchdowns. He led all Texans pass-catchers by 11 receptions (Nico Collins at #2 with 71) and was tied for second-most touchdowns catches on the team (Xavier Hutchinson, Woody Marks). 

Considering his previous performances, and that he's on the final year of a three-year, $36 million extension (2024-2026), Schultz is slated to be the team's primary pass catching tight end in 2026. 

2026's free agency pool will feature a number of notable tight ends who could step in and jump start Houston's passing game immediately. 

Options include (but not limited to):

Houston is strapped at the moment when it comes to salary cap space, so making a splash at the position this offseason may not be the most feasible. 

However, in an ideal scenario, the Texans would benefit greatly from bringing in a game changing option to pair with Schultz (something akin to the Baltimore Ravens' pairing of Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely). 

According to ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller, Steve Muench, Jordan Reid and Field Yates, the top tight end prospects in the 2026 NFL draft are:

The last time the Texans selected a tight end within the first three rounds of the NFL draft was in 2019 with the drafting of San Diego State product Kahale Warring. 

The former Aztec didn't last long in Houston though, as multiple early injuries limited his opportunities to be impactful for head coach Bill O'Brien and the offense.

He was gone shortly thereafter and had short stints with both the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars (2021). 

From then on, then team drafted Brevin Jordan (fifth round) in 2021, Teagan Quitoriano (fifth round) in 2022 and Cade Stover (fourth round) in 2024 (Jordan and Stover have injury concerns, and Quitoriano was just recently an Atlanta Falcon). 

The most impactful tight end pick in team history was franchise legend Owen Daniels in the fourth round of the 2006 draft. He leads the franchise all time in yards, touchdowns, receptions and games played at the position. 

With Schultz possibly leaving after the 2026 season, it may be time for the Texans to finally invest again in the position and look for their tight end of the future (maybe even an impact player for 2026).

How do you think the Texans will handle tight end this upcoming season? Let us know in the comments section below and by mentioning us at @Texans_RTB on X and @Texans.Roundtable on TikTok!