The Houston Texans are taking a strategic approach to their rebuild, studying the success of the Philadelphia Eagles as they work to construct a sustainable championship-caliber roster. With quarterback C.J. Stroud emerging as the franchise cornerstone, General Manager Nick Caserio is looking to emulate the Eagles’ emphasis on dominant line play, player development, and roster depth.
Building Around C.J. Stroud
After a promising 2023 season that showcased Stroud’s potential as a franchise quarterback, the Texans are focused on surrounding him with the necessary talent to accelerate their rise in the AFC. Philadelphia’s ability to build an elite team around quarterback Jalen Hurts has caught Houston’s attention, particularly the Eagles’ investment in the offensive and defensive lines.
“The teams that consistently win in this league win in the trenches,” Caserio said. “Philadelphia has built one of the most balanced rosters in football by prioritizing the offensive and defensive lines, and that’s something we want to replicate here in Houston.”
Strengthening the Trenches
One of the biggest takeaways from the Eagles’ team-building strategy is their relentless focus on the offensive and defensive lines. With Laremy Tunsil anchoring the left tackle spot, the Texans have a strong starting point on the offensive line but need to reinforce the rest of the unit. Injuries exposed the lack of depth up front in 2023, and Houston is expected to target offensive linemen in free agency and the draft to give Stroud better protection.
Defensively, the Eagles have been a force thanks to their ability to rotate fresh pass rushers and dominate at the line of scrimmage. The Texans, led by defensive-minded head coach DeMeco Ryans, want to build a similarly deep front seven to disrupt opposing quarterbacks. Adding more playmakers in the front four could be a major point of emphasis this offseason.
Expanding the Offensive Arsenal
Beyond the trenches, Houston is also looking to add offensive firepower. The Eagles’ ability to surround Hurts with playmakers like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith has provided a blueprint for how the Texans can build around Stroud. While Houston already has promising young talent, including Nico Collins and Tank Dell, adding another dynamic receiving threat could be a priority.
A Model for Sustainable Success
With the Eagles consistently contending in the NFC by following this approach, the Texans hope to replicate that success in the AFC. The upcoming free agency period and NFL Draft will be critical in determining whether Houston can follow through on this vision and accelerate its path from a rebuilding team to a legitimate playoff contender.
