The Houston Texans’ season came to an end on Saturday with a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, marking their second straight exit in the NFL Divisional Round. Now, the big question is: what’s next for this team?
Injuries hit the Texans hard, especially at wide receiver. Stefon Diggs, who was a major offseason addition, tore his ACL back on Oct. 27 during a win over the Indianapolis Colts. Now, he’s heading into free agency, and his future with the team is unclear.
Things got worse on Dec. 21, when second-year standout Tank Dell tore his ACL and dislocated his knee against the Chiefs in the two team's first meeting. Dell is expected to miss all of the 2025 season.
Other wide receivers, Robert Woods and Diontae Johnson, will be free agents, too.
With so much uncertainty on offense, running back Joe Mixon addressed reporters on Monday. He said he’s confident in general manager Nick Caserio and even hinted that "fireworks will be here real soon."
"I definitely look forward to that recruiting aspect, having fans, very excited and engaged to additions to the team," Mixon said. "And I know for a fact that Nick [Caserio] got something cooked up right now, so definitely all excited for it, and Fireworks will be here real soon."
It's unclear who Mixon has in mind but it certainly appears he's spoken with Caserio. The Texans have around $14.1 million in projected cap space to work with this offseason and own the 25th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Mixon also discussed a potential Diggs return and how the Texans players would welcome him "back with open arms."
"All of us (Texans) is going to welcome Stef [Diggs] back with open arms...," Mixon said. "I'm sure he's going to probably want to come back here. He's got unfinished business, man, so hopefully, you know, take that into consideration."
In 2024, Mixon recorded 1,016 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, along with 309 receiving yards.
