The Houston Texans have a critical offseason ahead of them if the team wants to get over the hump and become a legitimate Super Bowl contender in 2025.
After winning two straight division titles, the Texans were bounced in the second round each of the past two seasons and are hungry to reach the next level as a young franchise.
The tough decisions have already started to happen in Houston, such as moving on from offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and replacing him with a rising first-time coordinator in Nick Caley.
Now, the next decisions should be easy ones for the Texans. The team needs to boost the interior of the offensive line for starters, but long-term, the team needs to prioritize two easy decisions with current players on the roster.
We all know star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. will be in line for a new deal, one that could even make him the highest paid cornerback in the league, after notching his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro season in 2025.
The former third overall pick deserves to reset the market, but he's not the only defender in Houston who could receive a new extension with the team before next season kicks off.
Last offseason, the Texans made a splash on defense signing edge rusher Danielle Hunter to a two year, $49 million contract, with $48 million fully guaranteed. Pairing the top pass rusher on the market with Will Anderson proved to be an instant success.
Hunter and Anderson each logged double-digit sacks and over 50+ total pressures each. Both players also ranked in the Top-15 in pass rush win rate among edge rushers with 250+ pass rush snaps in 2024.
"Our rushing duo really raises havoc," head coach DeMeco Ryans said. "I think it is really hard on opposing quarterbacks, and we see that in how teams try to protect against us with the chips and trying to slow our guys down. Our guys are still doing a great job at finding a way to get pressure on the quarterback and get him down."
Keeping those two weapons locked in place long term is going to be key for this defense to maintain a strong level of violence and consistency. And getting a new deal established with Hunter this offseason is going to be key.
Top edge rushers such as Myles Garrett, Aidan Hutchinson, and Micah Parsons could potentially shake up the market in a big way this offseason and the Texans should get ahead of that spike with a new deal for Hunter.
The 30-year-old veteran still has one more year remaining for 2025, plus three void years tacked onto the contract. Getting ahead of this and tacking on another year or two to the deal would be wise for the Texans and Hunter. He's still in the prime of his career and has been one of the most consistent edge rushers in the league.
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