Houston Texans Offensive Line Update
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Wyatt Teller #77 of the Cleveland Browns looks on during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on December 28, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images The Texans entered this offseason with one major need, and that was to fix the offensive line immediately. Those upgrades could have come through free agency, the trade market, or even the draft, but after the slew of moves from the front office throughout the last couple of weeks, it is clear that the plan was to bring in experienced players and build that way.
It all started with the re-signing of their lone bright spot on the interior last season, Ed Ingram. Ingram was signed to a three-year, $37. 5M deal.
They clearly valued Ingram and feel like his best ball is ahead of him. Houston also prioritized re-signing another one of their own, offensive tackle Trent Brown. Brown started a lot of games for them last season and was extremely valuable for his price tag.
He will be back on a one-year deal worth up to $7M. Some believed they viewed Brown as their right tackle heading into the 2026 season, and while you could do much worse than Brown, it was clear the team wanted a real upgrade. That’s why they went out and paid former Colts right tackle Braden Smith.
Smith was one of, if not the best offensive tackle available, and Houston got their guy, giving him a two-year deal worth up to $25M. Smith has been banged up the past couple of years, but he is someone who can make a real difference when healthy and operating at full capacity. It felt like fans were already feeling good about the offensive line group, and the most recent signing put them over the edge.