Nobody will tell you with a straight face that the Houston Texans have a legitimate chance to play in the Super Bowl in 2023 but they've most definitely exceeded expectations. Projected to get six wins in the regular season, they've already got three. This shouldn't come as a surprise though.
With team executive Jack Eastery no longer in the picture, general manager Nick Caserio was able to work his magic in the offseason without interference. Caserio's first order of business was to hire head coach DeMeco Ryans to replace Lovie Smith. He then proceeded to fill as many roster holes as possible. So far, most of the moves he made have paid off.
While there's plenty of football left this season, now feels like a good time to look at the reasons they've exceeded expectations.
3. DeMeco Ryans is the right coach to oversee the Texans rebuild
All things considered, Bill O'Brien wasn't a bad coach. He took Houston to the playoffs four times during his seven-year stint. The trouble began when he took over general manager duties. He left the roster devoid of talent and without draft ammo to acquire playmakers after a handful of puzzling trades. Not surprisingly, he got the boot in 2020. Unfortunately, it took the Texans a few tries before they found O'Brien's eventual replacement.
Dave Culley succeeded O'Brien but he only lasted one season. Houston then hired Lovie Smith but was also a one-and-done. To nobody's surprise, potential candidates for the Texans' opening were hesitant to interview for the job but eventually, alumnus DeMeco Ryans was hired.
Ryans joined the San Francisco 49ers as a defensive assistant in 2017 and quickly moved up the coaching ranks. By 2021, he had become the Niners' defensive coordinator and one of the hottest names among potential head coach candidates.
Right off the bat, Ryans has shown in Houston what makes him special. Besides excelling at getting the most out of his players, he can connect with them and adjust his message. Simply, you will be hard-pressed to find a player in the Texans' locker room who isn't willing to run through a brick wall for their head coach.
2. The Texans addressed as many needs as possible in the 2023 offseason
The Houston Texans faced cap constraints the last two years but they finally had enough room to make several signings this past free agency. They wasted no time and filled as many needs as possible without breaking the bank.
On offense, Houston signed running back Devin Singletary, tight end Dalton Schultz, and wide receiver Robert Woods. While none of these players are what you would consider Pro Bowl talent, they added much-needed depth to their respective positions. It took Singletary a few games to hit his stride but he had a season-best 58 yards on 12 carries against the New Orleans Saints in Week 6. Schultz has progressively seen his workload increase and Woods is second in the team with 22 catches.
On defense, the Texans brought in defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, linebacker Denzel Perryman, and safety Jimmy Ward. Moreover, they managed to bring back cornerback Tavierre Thomas. All of them have gone on to become integral parts of a defense that ranks ninth in the league in points allowed.
To complement their free-agency acquisitions, the Texans took advantage of the extra first-round pick they got in the Deshaun Watson trade and drafted Will Anderson Jr. third overall in this year's draft after a series of deals.
But as important as Anderson has been for the Texans in 2023, there's another rookie who's had a bigger impact.
1. CJ Stroud is the franchise QB the Texans had been looking for
Finding a franchise quarterback is no easy task. Teams can spend years if not decades looking for one. Luckily for Houston, they have a keeper in C.J. Stroud, the No. 2 pick in the 2023 draft. But before selecting Stroud, the Texans went through a quarterback drought.
Back in 2021, Deshaun Watson made it clear he no longer wanted to play for the Texans and forced his way out. Without a plan in place to replace him, Houston went with Tyrod Taylor and later Davis Mills.
Even though Mills overachieved as a rookie, he came crashing down in 2022. Knowing the former Stanford Cardinal wasn't the long-term answer at quarterback, the Texans zeroed in on Stroud. However, they had to cross their fingers and hope the Carolina Panthers, who held the top pick in the draft, didn't select Stroud.
In the end, the Panthers chose Bryce Young and the Texans couldn't be more thrilled, as Stroud has already proven to be everything they thought he would be. Six weeks into the 2023 season, Stroud is playing like a vested veteran. It took him five weeks to throw his first interception and he's consistently put the Texans in a position to win games.
Granted, there's plenty of work left but Texans should feel great knowing they have a long-term answer at quarterback. A trip to the playoffs looks like a long shot in 2023 but expect Houston to compete for the AFC South crown next season with Stroud leading the way.