DeMeco Ryans returns for his 4th season as head coach of the Houston Texans, looking to build off their impressive 12-5 2025 campaign. Nick Caley returns as offensive coordinator. C.J. Stroud is back as quarterback, while David Montgomery will become the primary running back ahead of Woody Marks. The Texans return three of their top five receivers from a year ago: Nico Collins, Jaylin Noel, and tight end Dalton Schultz. The Texans welcome in Kayshon Boutte, who comes over from New England. The offensive line was heavily upgraded in the offseason, with Aireontae Ersery, Ed Ingram, Trent Brown, and Blake Fisher returning, along with Evan Brown from Arizona, Wyatt Teller from the Browns, and Braden Smith from the Colts.

Matt Burke returns for his fourth season as defensive coordinator. The Texans return nine of their top eleven tacklers from a year ago. Will Anderson Jr., Sheldon Rankins, Tommy Togiai and Danielle Hunter return on the defensive line. Jadeveon Clowney adds depth to the unit, coming over from Dallas. Henry To’oto’o and Azeez Al-Shaair return at linebacker. E.J. Speed will miss the season. In the secondary, Derek Stingley, Kamari Lassiter, Calen Bullock, and Jalen Pitre are back, along with Reed Blankenship coming over from Philadelphia.

Frank Ross is back for his sixth season as special teams coordinator. Ka’imi Fairbairn returns as field goal kicker after hitting 92% of his attempts last year. Kai Kroeger comes over from New Orleans to take over as punter. Jaylin Noel and Tremon Smith will share the return duties this season. The Texans finished the regular season on a red-hot nine-game winning streak and are ready to compete for the AFC South crown behind a well-coached organization.