Most fans won’t buy it yet, but one player believes the Texans’ offensive line is ready to change the narrative.
In a recent interview with the voice of the Texans, Marc Vandermeer, Houston center Jake Andrews shared an optimistic outlook on the team’s offensive line heading into the 2025 season.
“We’re going to protect C.J. Us five up front—we’re going to make it our life’s work to not have anybody in his lap.”
Following a year in which quarterback C.J. Stroud was the second-most sacked player in the league, concerns about the offensive line have been both expected and warranted. The scrutiny only intensified when Pro Football Focus ranked the Texans’ O-line dead last in its latest position group grades.
“The presence of veterans Laremy Tunsil and Shaq Mason prevented an already shaky Texans offensive line from being even worse in 2024, and the team cut ties with both this offseason,” wrote PFF’s Zoltan Buday. “There is very little to suggest that the group isn’t deserving of the No. 32 ranking ahead of the 2025 season.”
In response to a horrid season up front, the Texans made several offseason additions, signing veteran tackles Trent Brown and Cam Robinson, as well as guards Laken Tomlinson and Ed Ingram. They also shifted Tytus Howard from right tackle to left guard and slotted rookie Blake Fisher in at right tackle.
While it might be upsetting to fans that the team didn't do more in the offensive line department during the offseason, it seems as though players are confident.
Despite the doubts, Andrews is tuning out the criticism and focusing on the task at hand. He shared a confident message that many Texans fans needed to hear after a rough 2024 season.
“We are going to play tough, physical football. People are going to know when they wake up on Monday morning that they just got done playing the Houston Texans.”
Offensive coordinator Nick Caley, hired in February, previously served as the Rams’ tight ends coach and pass game coordinator. Early signs have pointed to players buying into his system and Andrews doesn’t think any differently.
“The ball is going to be run. (Nick) Caley is doing a good job putting that together,” Andrews said.
The clip sparked a range of reactions online. Some fans embraced the energy, with one saying, “I’m ready to run through a wall now.”
Another commented, “Love it. We haven’t had that mentality on our front five in a long time.”
Others remained skeptical: “I’m not gonna believe in this OL until I see it,” one user replied.
It’ll take more than just talk to convince the doubters, but Andrews’ words could be a rallying point for a group looking to massively redefine itself in 2025.
The Philadelphia Eagles are probably always going to be a little more inclined to bring in Georgia players — especially on the defensive side of the ball — after the success they’ve had in recent years. That’s why it wasn’t a ...
A rough 2024 season that featured a pair of injuries has put San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey somewhat in the national rearview entering the 2025 season. However, a stat posted by the 33rd Team helps highlight just how good ...
Once upon a time, Mike Tomlin was a young coach who led the Pittsburgh Steelers to some extreme success early on. By the end of his fourth year, the club had already won a Super Bowl and reached another one. Since ...
It was a relatively positive offseason program for the Washington Commanders. However, there were also a couple of concerns for fans to ponder in the weeks leading up to training camp. The Commanders' pass rush was an issue, but the addition ...
Less than two months remain before the Minnesota Vikings kick off the 2025 campaign and finally answer the largest question looming over the organization: Just what does the team have in second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy? The answer won’t just determine Minnesota’s ...