Texans and AFC South Face Uncertainty Ahead of Next Season
What lies ahead for the Houston Texans and the AFC South in the 2025 season?
At first glance, the Texans appear to have a significant advantage in the division, thanks to their quarterback, C.J. Stroud, who brings a high ceiling and promising upside. Compared to the other teams in the AFC South—the Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Indianapolis Colts—the Texans seem to have the best outlook for next year. Stroud, coming off an impressive Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign, will be entering his second season with added experience and proven success. Additionally, he’ll have the guidance of an offensive mind like Nick Caley, who’s set to steer the offense forward.
However, when considering the quarterbacks in the AFC South against the rest of the league, the outlook for the division becomes more questionable.
NFL.com’s Nick Shook recently ranked the AFC South’s projected starting quarterbacks as the weakest group in the entire league. This list includes C.J. Stroud, Cam Ward, Trevor Lawrence, and the Colts’ tandem of Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson.
Shook described the AFC South as having “the greatest untapped potential,” noting that while Stroud has already demonstrated high-level play, other quarterbacks in the division have yet to reach their expected potential. He’s uncertain about Richardson’s future after a disappointing 2024, especially if Jones takes the starting job for the Colts. As for Lawrence, Shook acknowledged his 2022 season as a glimpse of his potential but pointed out that he needs to stay healthy and consistent.
Ward, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, will start for the Titans, but the pressure will be on him to live up to expectations right away.
“If everything falls into place, all four franchises should have their answers under center and vault up the rankings,” Shook said, “But that ‘if’ is a fragile one, like a Jenga tower nearing collapse.”
The AFC South definitely has its share of quarterback concerns heading into next season, with each team facing potential growing pains. Even the Texans, who struggled with offensive dysfunction and offensive line issues last season, may face some bumps as they continue to develop under Stroud. Similarly, the Titans, Jaguars, and Colts all have their own sets of challenges, but each team also boasts some upside, creating a division with high potential but also a significant risk.
For now, the AFC South remains a “wait-and-see” situation when it comes to quarterback play. However, when it comes to the Texans, their offense seems to be in the best position for success compared to the other teams in the division.
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