The Houston Texans need C.J. Stroud to play better than he did this past season. At the same time, Stroud needs the Texans to continue improving his supporting cast. With several roster questions ahead of them this offseason, the Texans must be prudent.
Helping Stroud falls under that category.
His rookie season has given way to back-to-back seasons of regression. And while this past season can be partially attributed to a change in play-caller, there remains work to be done.
C.J. Stroud Gets Pro Bowl Protector in Texans Prediction
GettyJoel Bitonio #75 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Stroud reduced his sack-rate to a career low, which is a credit to the Texans QB, despite his missing three games due to a concussion, and his offensive line. However, the group remains in flux with free agency and has room for improvement, enough to explore upgrades.
CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles suggested the Texans target pending Cleveland Browns free agent Joel Bitonio. The 35th overall pick of the 2014 draft, Bitonio is a seven-time Pro Bowler.
He is also a two-time First Team All-Pro, who could help solidify the pocket for Stroud.
“Bitonio’s remarkable run of seven straight Pro Bowl selections (which included five All-Pro honors) ended in 2025,” Pereles wrote on January 28. “He’s not what he once was, but he can still be a serviceable interior option.”
Pereles also listed the Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers, and Tennessee Titans as potential suitors for Bitonio this offseason.
Bitonio is coming off a three-year, $48 million contract with $107 million in career earnings.
The Texans, however, are $14.2 million over the salary cap, per Over The Cap. Meanwhile, Spotrac projects Bitonio could command a deal worth up to $12.9 million in free agency at this stage of his career.
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GettyMilton Williams #97 of the New England Patriots sacks C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans during the AFC Divisional Playoffs.
Targeting Bitonio would also align with what the Texans have been compelled to do with their roster around Stroud anyway. ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime noted improving the offensive line as part of the Texans’ “top offseason priority.
The idea is to bolster their run game.
“Schematically, Houston’s run game has the bones to be a strong down-the-middle attack. But the Texans ranked only 24th in yards per game (107) and tied for 29th in yards per carry (3.9),” Bien-Aime wrote in an article updated on January 25. “They need to improve the interior of the offensive line and probably add one more back.”
The Texans face questions at right guard, where Ed Ingram is a free agent this offseason, but Tytus Howard–under contract through 2026–could replace him on the right side.
That is, unless the Texans have plans for Howard at right tackle, with Trent Brown a free agent.
“It’s unlikely he’ll command a top-of-market guard deal,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler projected in that same article. “As Houston looks for offensive line stability, it makes sense for the club to bring him back.”
ESPN’s Jordan Reid suggested the Texans could like Olaivavega Ioane of Penn State in the first round with the No. 28 overall pick of the 2026 draft.
Whatever the Texans do, bolstering their roster, and specifically OL, around Stroud is a must.
Texans Predicted to Land Big-Bodied All-Pro to Help C.J. Stroud