“Tank, he’s grinding. Great attitude,” Ryans said at the NFL’s Annual League Meeting, via KPRC’s Aaron Wilson. “Don’t know if OTAs he’ll be there, but I know he’ll back for us at some point this year. As I told Tank, it’s not a matter of getting back to OTAs just to get back, it’s just a matter of getting back in a really good spot physically to where you stay there.

“That’s the main thing. It’s not about how quickly he returns. It’s just about Tank returning because we saw what Tank can do, the playmaking that he provides to our entire team. Just getting him back, whenever that time is, it’s going to lift our team.“

Tank Dell’s devastating injury

In December 2024, Tank Dell suffered a catastrophic knee injury during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, involving a dislocated kneecap and multiple torn ligaments, including his ACL, MCL, and LCL. This devastating injury required two major surgeries and sidelined him for the entire 2025 season as he underwent a grueling rehabilitation process.

Aerial options for C.J. Stroud

C.J. Stroud’s air attack for the 2026 season is anchored by the dominant Nico Collins, who remains one of the league’s most physical and productive deep threats. Joining him is Jayden Higgins, a dynamic playmaker expected to provide immediate versatility and explosive potential to the Texans‘ offense.

Upon his arrival, David Montgomery made a bold promise to the Texans regarding his future performance. However, he hasn’t forgotten his past, especially his experience playing under Dan Campbell.

The running back spoke about his move to Houston, which took him by surprise. Nevertheless, he accepted the trade gladly, noting that Dan Campbell continually praised Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans.

“When I was in Detroit, Coach Campbell would talk about Coach Ryans all the time,” Montgomery said in a video uploaded by the Texans. “When we had joint practices or he was talking about another coach, he always would talk about Coach Ryans. So now, to be under him and see, and be a part of it now, I’m super excited. I couldn’t think of a more ideal place to be.”

The Texans are building something solid

Last season, Houston managed to secure a Wild Card spot despite the various struggles the team faced throughout the year. They even advanced to the Divisional Round, where they eventually lost to the New England Patriots.

Despite falling short of a title, their performance during the 2025 NFL season surprised many, especially considering the lack of a consistent rushing attack. With Montgomery now in the backfield, that dynamic is set to change significantly.

David Montgomery is slated to become the RB1, with Joe Mixon and Nick Chubb no longer with the club. Woody Marks, who had a solid rookie season while Mixon and Chubb were unavailable, will serve as his backup.

Is Stefon Diggs returning to the Texans?

Following his release from the Patriots, fans are wondering whether Stefon Diggs might return to the Texans. He is currently a free agent, and while many clubs have already signed other wide receivers, Diggs remains on the market.

While Nico Collins is a standout receiver, the recent departure of Christian Kirk to the San Francisco 49ers has raised questions about whether the club should pursue Diggs to build a stronger receiving corps for C.J. Stroud.

Kirk was the slot receiver for the Texans in 2025. While his production was underwhelming (28 receptions, 239 yards, 1 touchdown), he was a veteran that was at least a reliable name every once in a while in an otherwise very young core.

Now, the depth chart has Nico Collins as WR1, followed by second-year prospects Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Justin Watson, Xavier Hutchinson, Jared Wayne, Josh Kelly are also on the roster. More importantly, Tank Dell will make his long-awaited return after a devastating knee injury that has sidelined him since 2024.

Houston is putting all its stock on Dell

Dell is only 26 years old and has played just two seasons. He suffered season-ending injuries in both of those. He played 11 games in 2023 and 14 in 2024. His career numbers are 1,376 yards in 98 catches with 10 touchdowns. His numbers are good, but coming from that injury with a lengthy injury history already is just too risky.

Dell was a prolific route-runner with the ability to make contested catches and had a killer instinct. However, the fact is Tank Dell’s best days might very well be behind him. Houston trusting him might be a huge mistake. In any case, the Texans should ease him in, not just throwing him into the action at 100% intensity.

Tank Dell is likely to be more of an escape valve now

During his first two seasons, Dell demonstrated talent to be considered a low-ceiling WR1 or a high-floor WR2. Now, with Collins developed into a certified weapon and Jayden Higgins being a less-developed version of him, Dell’s usage might be relegated.

For instance, Kirk is also likely to be WR3 on the 49ers below Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall. Dell might play the same role. He would go below Collins and Higgins, and maybe even under tight end Dalton Schultz.

The Lions had been able to have one of the strongest RB duos in the league with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. The two complemented each other perfectly as “Sonic and Knuckles,” yet the NFC North franchise moved on from Montgomery in a move that surprised many.

Now that he is part of the Texans, the 28-year-old running back has addressed the trade. Montgomery was clear that he will give it all to his new team, believing that his prime is not gone—a slight jab at the Lions after trading him away.

“I honestly feel like I’m in my prime,” David Montgomery said, via The Houston Chronicle. “Am I able to handle the work load? Yes, because I work hard in the offseason to be able to do something like that.”

David Montgomery returns to being the RB1 in Houston

In 2023, just when David Montgomery joined the Detroit Lions, the club drafted Jahmyr Gibbs at 12th overall. However, the veteran maintained his position as RB1 for the majority of their time together, even as Gibbs was regarded as the clear future of the position. Montgomery’s ability to handle the “heavy lifting” allowed Gibbs to develop, but the dynamic eventually shifted as the younger back took on a larger share of the touches.

A year later, Montgomery and Gibbs shared more snaps, and fans didn’t have it clear who was the RB1. However, in the 2025 NFL season everything changed and Gibbs was finally regarded as the starter, which is why the exit of Montgomery this offseason makes more sense. Despite playing in all 17 games last year, Montgomery saw his snap count drop to a career-low 37%, leading to reported frustration that paved the way for this week’s blockbuster trade.

Now as part of the Texans, Montgomery is set to become the RB1 once again. The club moved on from Joe Mixon and Nick Chubb, and the former Lions player is now the first option in the depth chart, yet he faces competition again for the starter role.

In 2025, the Texans drafted Woody Marks. He had a solid rookie campaign with 912 all-purpose yards and proved he could handle a heavy workload in the playoffs. He was the reason why the club didn’t stick to either Mixon or Chubb, but they still want him to develop better and that’s why they included Montgomery this offseason. The team believes the veteran can serve as a bridge while Marks continues to refine his game.

David Montgomery comes off a career-low mark of 716 yards in 158 carries. Nevertheless, the Texans believe he is a strong option to guide Marks, just as he did with Gibbs in the Lions, to make him an elite running back in the upcoming years.

On Monday, NFL Media revealed that the Texans and Lions agreed to terms on a deal sending Montgomery to Houston. The AFC South franchise now boasts significant depth at running back, but changes to the depth chart could be imminent.

According to Mike Florio of NBC, the Texans plan to make David Montgomery their RB1, with Woody Marks serving as his primary backup. Despite Joe Mixon still being under contract, reports suggest Houston could release him soon, while Nick Chubb is not expected to return next season.

Joe Mixon’s health issues continue

Last year, Joe Mixon was sidelined with a foot injury. Initial reports indicated he would eventually return, but that never materialized, and he ended up missing the entire 2025 NFL season.

Mixon’s situation remains puzzling. Many analysts consider the details surrounding his injury and prolonged absence a mystery, as neither the Texans nor the player have fully clarified the extent of the issue.

As of now, Mixon is not expected to draw significant interest in free agency. Teams are typically hesitant to invest in a player with uncertain health, especially one coming off a full season away from the field.

What will happen with Nick Chubb?

The Texans acquired Nick Chubb last year following Mixon’s injury. He was coming off a serious knee injury of his own, which raised questions about his durability and effectiveness.

Chubb finished the season with 506 rushing yards in 15 games. With Montgomery now in the picture and Chubb set to become a free agent, Houston is not expected to bring him back for the 2026 campaign.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Texans have agreed to send offensive lineman Tytus Howard to the Browns. Cleveland will give them a fifth-round pick in return. Hence, whether it’s Shedeur Sanders or the favorite to actually land the QB1 job in Cleveland, the Browns added a new pass-protector.

The Browns have had many names on the offensive line change. Howard will not play the final year of his current contract. Rapoport also reported that the Browns will extend him on a three-year, $63 million deal. Hence, the Browns are locking him up for years to come.

Tytus Howard is a versatile player

The Browns landed a versatile lineman that can play as a right tackle, left tackle, and a left guard. Hence, the Browns are getting a guy that has started all 93 games he’s played in. A reliable, versatile lineman who is in the middle of his prime is now going to Cleveland.

However, that means David Montgomery has one less protector now that he is going to Houston. Howard has played seven years, all for Houston. However, for Houston, the reason would be that while Howard is a great pass protector, his run blocking is the weaker aspect to his game.

Texans might make moves for other linemen

The fact is that they have strengthen their running game, but Montgomery is a guy who runs through the line, not on the edges. That’s why they need good run blockers, and that’s the focus they are likely taking during the free agency period.

The Texans RB depth chart will now feature David Montgomery, followed by second-year player Woody Marks, and a returning Joe Mixon. Jawhar Jordan also features on the depth chart. As for Nick Chubb and Dare Ogunbowale, both are unrestricted free agents for the 2026 NFL season, leaving the team. Also, it seems like Mixon and the Texans will part ways before the start of free agency.

As for the Lions, this move leaves Jahmyr Gibbs as the absolute workhorse of the team. Following Gibbs, Jacob Saylors is also under contract, though he was primarily used as a kickoff returner. Third-year RB Sione Vaki is also on the depth chart as well as Kye Robichaux. However, Robichaux is currently on the Injured Reserve list.

Are the Lions receiving enough for Montgomery?

Per Rapoport, the Lions are getting “the Texans fourth rounder, OL Juice Scruggs, and a 7th rounder… So, fifth-round value. But a complex deal.” This means Houston really wanted to land the services of the unhappy Montgomery, who saw his usage decline massively last year despite still being productive.

However, the Lions are getting a potential starting-caliber offensive linemen, as Scruggs might solve some of the issues on that unit, given the retirements the Lions have suffered. A fourth and seventh round picks are what you can get for a 28-year-old running back. All in all, it’s quite a fair trade.

What does this mean for Montgomery?

For the Lions, the mission is clear: get Jahmyr Gibbs a new, very lucrative deal. But for Montgomery? Being 28 years old, many might see that as a declining age for a RB. However, Montgomery has less mileage than others, due to him being under Gibbs’ shadow. He is fresh and ready to go.

Two years ago, the Texans traded for Joe Mixon, a power back. Last year, they brought Nick Chubb. Now, it’s David Montgomery. The Texans like rough-and-tough running backs and Montgomery, who is nicknamed ‘Knuckles‘, fits perfectly. Mixon was great until injuries happened, Chubb had somewhat of a resurgence year. However, Montgomery comes in his prime, and should become the RB1 of the team without much hesitation.

General manager Nick Caserio reflected on the 2025 season during an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio, where he reiterated his confidence in Stroud and praised the quarterback for helping keep the Texans competitive throughout the year despite inconsistencies on offense.

“I think the big thing about DeMeco, we believe in our players, and you want to instill confidence in them, understanding there’s going to be some ups and downs that you’re going to have to endure. Every player goes through that. CJ went through that during the course of the season, and that game was a microcosm of some of the things early in the year, but it’s going to happen,” Caserio said.

“So how do you bounce back? How do you handle those things? And hopefully you learn from them. And then you get to the offseason, what are some things that you can correct? So that’s where the focus was going to be. But he’s played a lot of good football for us for three years now, and we were excited for where we were heading into year four.”

Stroud’s performance vs the Patriots

Stroud was unable to overcome the challenges presented by the Patriots’ defense in the AFC Divisional Round. He completed just 20 of 47 pass attempts for 212 yards with one touchdown and multiple interceptions, struggling to find rhythm against constant pressure.

It marked another disappointing offensive showing for the Texans. The team demonstrated Super Bowl potential on the defensive side of the ball throughout the season, but the offense failed to deliver the same level of consistency when it mattered most.

Across 14 NFL regular-season games in 2025, Stroud completed 273 passes for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, while adding 209 rushing yards and one score on 48 carries. In the postseason, he finished with 462 passing yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions, numbers that reflected both promise and volatility.

The Texans entered the offseason with several questions to answer. The organization not only looked to address roster needs through the draft and free agency, but also faced important decisions regarding key players and the coaching staff as they aimed to take the next step toward true contention.

CJ Stroud had a chance to silence his doubters, but failed to do so. In the biggest challenge of his career so far, the Texans quarterback threw four interceptions in the first half. Despite the disastrous performance, head coach DeMeco Ryans has made it clear that he still believes in him.

“I talked with CJ today and my message is the same,” Ryans said on Monday. “Right now, it’s just about him flushing this one. It’s going to be a lot of negative talk, a lot of attention on him. He can’t listen to it all. He’s just got to get back to work in the offseason of going back to the basics, the fundamentals of playing the quarterback position, playing it really well, understanding how we need to play the game to win the game. He understands that already.

“I just told him, ‘Don’t listen to anything. Put your phone away. Don’t listen to anything, because there’s going to be a lot of negative talk out there for you.’ Specifically, I just told him to get away, clear his mind. Because right now, at this moment, I know there’s going to be a lot of attention on him, a lot of negative media, and today, a lot of questions about him.

2026 could be CJ Stroud’s final test

Although the Texans managed to reach the 2026 playoffs, their postseason run was far from impressive. While they defeated the Steelers in the Wild Card round, the victory came largely thanks to their defense rather than Stroud’s play.

When the Texans selected Stroud with the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, they expected him to quickly become the franchise quarterback they had been searching for. So far, the former Ohio State standout has fallen short of those expectations.

Stroud showed promise during his rookie season, leading many to believe he would guide Houston to long-term success. However, his production has declined since then, raising concerns about his development and overall progression.

The quarterback is eligible for a contract extension, but the team is expected to exercise his fifth-year option for the 2027 season instead. At this point, the 2026 campaign appears to be a pivotal year—one that could determine whether Stroud earns a long-term deal or if the Texans begin exploring other options.

The Texans’ ongoing search for a franchise QB

Houston remains one of the youngest franchises in the NFL, having debuted in 2002. In more than two decades, the Texans have yet to find a truly consistent franchise quarterback, and that search may continue.

If Stroud is unable to establish himself as the long-term answer, he would join a long list of quarterbacks who failed to lead the Texans to sustained success, including David Carr, Matt Schaub, Deshaun Watson, and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

During the game’s broadcast, DeMeco Ryans said “this team has his back,” when asked about Stroud’s performance. Stroud had 10/26 completions, four interceptions (including a pick-6), only one touchdown and a mere 124 yards.

Rumors started to go around that the Texans could bench Stroud in the second half in favor of Davis Mills, but with that statement, Ryans pretty much assured Stroud as the team’s quarterback despite a disastrous first half. Stroud’s performance during the first two quarters was so bad, even Joe Mixon, who is injured, took to socials to post how he felt.

The Texans are so good, they’re still competed

Stroud sent four interceptions, however, the Texans defense is so good the Patriots weren’t able to get a definitive distance in the first half. Stroud’s interceptions were mostly controlled by the Texans defense also provoking fumbles. The unit is too elite.

Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter are arguably the best pass-rusher duo in the NFL. Kamari Lassiter and Derek Stingley Jr. are arguably the best cornerback duo in the league. They also have a Pro Bowl linebacker like Azeez Al-Shaair. With that defense, they can remain in games even when the offense doesn’t click.

Stroud is entering a key moment in his career

Next year will be Stroud’s fourth in the NFL. Hence, the former second overall pick will be trying to prove to the Texans that he is the franchise quarterback. That’s arguably what makes or breaks a QB’s career. If he doesn’t get that contract, it’s likely that he won’t be seen as a franchise QB anymore.

“Take advantage of the turnovers,” Maye told the broadcast of the game before heading into the locker room when asked about his message for the players, letting his Patriots know that they must capitalize on the mistakes by Stroud and the Texans to finish the job in Foxborough.

Stroud got off to a nightmare start at Gillette Stadium, getting intercepted four times as his Texans went to the break trailing 10-21. And the difference could’ve been worse if it wasn’t for the outstanding Houston defense.

NFL world reacts to C.J. Stroud’s first half vs. Patriots

The reactions didn’t take long to emerge, with running back Joe Mixon dropping a six-word message on X as Stroud threw multiple interceptions in the blink of an eye. And of course, fans on social media didn’t waste a second to react either.

Stroud’s four interceptions in the first half led to hilarious memes, as the NFL community couldn’t believe how many possessions the Texans quarterback gave up. In fact, it led many to wonder who’s Stroud’s backup on the depth chart and whether the team should make a change at quarterback for the second half.