The Houston Texans Shouldn't Feel the Need to Bring Any Free Agents Back

There are some that make sense to return for 2026

The Houston Texans have a handful of free agents with expiring contracts. Most of the important pieces are taken care of, but the Texans should think about some of these players. They shouldn’t feel beholden to any of them, though.

Here are the decisions I would make on the free agents.

DT Sheldon Rankins

I would try to keep Rankins. He was solid in the middle of the defensive line. The team raves about his mentality in the defensive line room. He shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. A small raise from last season to keep him in the fold for about $6 million shouldn’t be unreasonable. I would keep this as a year-to-year situation, but I would like the situation to extend into the 2026 season.

RT Trent Brown

Brown locked down and steadied the right tackle spot once he got healthy enough to play. I wouldn’t love the idea of him starting at right tackle as Plan A. If Brown was the initial right tackle, and there was a worthwhile replacement behind him, I suppose I could be on board. I have to think he’d like to start, and maybe like a little raise, which might take him off the board for the Texans.

RG Ed Ingram