This Tennessee Titans' offseason was filled with acquiring new faces, both across the roster and coaching staff. These acquisitions finally have Titans fans feeling optimistic, but that hype train may need to slam the brakes. While the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars certainly made some questionable choices this offseason, the Houston Texans did quite the opposite, and they are laying it all on the line to bring home their first Lombardi Trophy.
With quarterback CJ Stroud entering the fourth year of his rookie deal, this season is make-or-break for the former rookie phenom. The front office knows it as well, and they are doing everything they can to set Stroud up for a bounce-back year following a disappointing 2025 season.
Houston signed reliable offensive linemen like Brayden Smith and Wyatt Teller, who are both likely to start. They also selected Keylan Rutledge with the 27th pick in the NFL Draft, and he is in line to compete for the team's starting center job this training camp.
The Tennessee Titans still trail the Houston Texans in the AFC South
In addition to stockpiling offensive linemen, the Texans traded for Detroit Lions RB David Montgomery to lead this backfield alongside sophomore Woody Marks in 2026. Per Fox Sports, the Texans had a bottom-half rushing offense in 2025, and there's no better way to help your young quarterback in the NFL than with a reliable rushing attack. Not to mention, Montgomery's bruising playing style perfectly fits this hard-nosed Houston team.
The Texans had the best defense in the league last season, and arguably one of the best defenses the NFL has seen in the last decade. Unfortunately for the Titans, this defense isn't going anywhere. Not only did the Texans tie down elite pass rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter with extensions, but they also added Ohio State nose tackle Kayden McDonald with the 36th pick. Free agent signing Reed Blankenship also adds another hard-hitting safety to an already-lockdown secondary.
The 2026 Texans are a rare case in which a team with quarterback drama is also in Super Bowl contention, and that is credited to this defense. If Stroud can produce even average quarterback play this season, they will have a shot to win it all, and the Titans would need a near-impossible turnaround to dethrone the Texans in the AFC South.
Add us as a preferred source on Google