Battle Red Blog
Will the Houston Texans have the worst offensive line in the league in 2025?
The Houston Texans are in a position where most of the roster has been built out impressively by general manager Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans.
But even with a surplus of talent across the board, one major concern still lingers: the offensive line.
Houston had one of, if not the worst offensive line in the NFL last season, and if the team wants to seriously contend, which they absolutely believe they can, that can’t happen again.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Texans’ offensive line was graded as the worst in the league heading into the 2025 season — and that’s a fair assessment until this unit proves otherwise on the field.
Last year, it often felt like quarterback C.J. Stroud was running for his life. That pressure led to uncharacteristic mistakes and forced the offense into bad situations. The run game didn’t help either, in fact, it disappeared almost entirely as the season went on, placing even more weight on Stroud’s shoulders.
The front office knows that if they can protect Stroud even at an average level, this team has the firepower to make a deep playoff run. That’s why major changes were made following the 2024 season.
Skepticism about this group is warranted — especially after trading away their top lineman, Laremy Tunsil. But this could end up being an addition by subtraction move.
No one questions Tunsil’s individual talent, but the line still ranked dead last with him anchoring the left side. Offloading his contract and spreading that money across the line may prove to be a better strategy.
Houston added several experienced veterans, including former Pro Bowl guard Laken Tomlinson, and tackles Cam Robinson and Trent Brown — giving them flexibility and depth up front. They also used a second-round pick on Aireontae Ersery, the 2024 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, and added interior lineman Jake Andrews, who’s already seen first-team center reps during OTAs.
Of course, talent alone isn’t enough. Scheme and coaching have been issues the past two years — and that’s where the Texans made their most impactful changes.
New offensive coordinator Nick Caley was one of the most highly regarded candidates during this year’s hiring cycle. With ties to both the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams, Caley brings a fresh vision and structure to this offense.
Meanwhile, Cole Popovich — who served as the Texans’ assistant offensive line coach in 2024 — has now been promoted to lead the group. Known for his emphasis on physicality and “nasty” trench play, Popovich’s style is a dramatic shift from years past, and players like Tytus Howard have already embraced the new tone.
No one expects Houston to suddenly boast a top-10 offensive line, but moving from 32nd to even top-15 territory would be a massive leap — and one that could unlock everything this offense is capable of.
