The Houston Texans’ season did not end as they hoped or planned, with their loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Playoffs sending DeMeco Ryans and one of the NFL’s most talented rosters into the offseason.
They are going with some reinforcement of their ability, though.
It is of little consolation now, but it could have significant ramifications down the line for Ryans and the Texans.
Texans Send 2 More Players to Pro Bowl Games
GettyKamari Lassiter #4 and Calen Bullock #21 of the Houston Texans react after an interception against the Indianapolis Colts.
The Texans were among the teams to send multiple players on their roster to the 2026 Pro Bowl Games, with cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., defensive end Will Anderson Jr., linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, and wide receiver Nico Collins all getting nods.
Anderson, Collins, and Stingley are all starters in the Pro Bowl Games.
Stingley in particular will see a few more familiar faces during the festivities, with the Texans announcing that fellow corner Kamari Lassiter and safety Calen Bullock are alternates.
“Hawk and Lock are headed to the #ProBowlGames [exclamation points emoji],” the Texans posted on X on January 26, adding “Calen will be replacing Steelers S Jalen Ramsey and Kamari is replacing Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez.”
The Texans eliminated Ramsey and the Steelers in the AFC Wild Card Round.
Gonzalez and the Patriots returned the favor, defeating the Texans in the AFC Divisional Playoffs, and are headed to the Super Bowl to face the Seattle Seahawks.
The only member of the Texans’ top four defensive backs who did not make the Pro Bowl is safety and nickelback Jalen Pitre, who missed three games due to a concussion during the regular season but still made an impact when on the field.
There is a larger matter for the Texans’ roster that this honor puts in play, though.
Texans’ Honors Loom Large for Roster Construction
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans walks out of the tunnel before facing the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Playoffs.
This offseason, the Texans could make significant roster decisions. That includes regarding extensions for Anderson and quarterback C.J. Stroud, the Nos. 3 and 2 picks, respectively, of the 2023 draft who will be eligible this spring.
Both players helped their respective causes by earning Pro Bowl honors, though Anderson has doubled down while Stroud has regressed since is rookie season.
The Texans could face a different set of questions with Bullock and Lassiter soon enough.
Houston selected Lassiter with the No. 42 overall pick in the 2024 draft. They drafted Bullock 36 picks later at 78th. Both players will be extension-eligible next offseason and will command significant raises on their next deals.
Adding to that, the Texans do not hold fifth-year options on either player. That is an asset teams use in tricky situations, such as the Texans could face, but with former first-rounders.
Al-Shaair is signed through 2026, keeping one roster item off the Texans’ list this offseason.
Texans Facing Salary Cap Crunch
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
NFL teams regularly manipulate their books to create space under the salary cap when needed. The Texans could find themselves in a similar boat with their roster.
Per Over The Cap, the Texans are $14.2 million over the limit for 2026.
The Texans have to do some work to get into compliance this offseason. Then, they can shift their focus toward changes aimed more toward improving their roster rather than their financial situation.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Texans Announce Good News After NFL Makes Decision appeared first on Heavy Sports.