Are the Houston Texans the NFL's NEXT BIG THING?

The Put Me In, Coach Podcast discuss the rise of the Houston Texans in 2023 and what's to come in 2024.
With free agent signings like Joe Mixon, Stefon Diggs, and Danielle Hunter, how much better can this football team get?
CJ Stroud wowed at quarterback last season, but can he an Bobby Slow take another step? What about the elite pass catchers? Some are saying the AFC South runs through Houston; Andy and Ian will debate it.
Timestamps:
Intro: 0:00
2023 Recap and Rebuild: 1:36
CJ Stroud: 8:23
Best Receiving Group in Football?: 19:40
Derek Stingley Jr and the Secondary: 28:30
Will Anderson Jr and Front Seven: 33:00
Final Thoughts and Predictions: 39:29
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[@DianaRussia531]

Caserio rebuilt the back end of the roster before the Watson trade and had to clear out bad contracts and get out of cap hell at first before this sudden turnaround. Doesn't feel so sudden to Texans fans...but it was worth the wait. The team is young, talented, fun to watch and full of likeable guys. Good show.

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Enjoy the ride. We're Lions fans, so being finally good has been the best breath of fresh air. Beats picking top 5!

[@the_familyjules]

This is by far-and-large the most exciting young team in football in my opinion. The Lions are a close 2nd for me. Dameco Ryan is building something great in Houston and he is changing that culture and putting faith in his young guys. There’s so much talent on both sides of the ball. All these guys can make plays. As a fan and viewer, this team and the rest of the AFC South for that matter are going to be pure entertainment to watch.

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

It’s a really really promising and exciting team. Gonna be on my watchlist a lot this season, no doubt about it. Thanks for watching 🙏

[@Wellplayed1304]

If DeMeco is the alpha of that locker room, then CJ is the example that DeMeco uses to show what is possible with the right mindset!

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Absolutely! Love the QB and coach leadership combo in that locker room right now.

[@ybmsimba2410]

I've personally always held the theory that most of the negative pre-draft noise around CJ was an attempt to get him to slide down the board by GMs that were just praying the texans would be the "dysfunctional texans" and pass on him. Outside of the S2 score nothing else said don't draft him. He actually threw at the combine unlike Bryce and had a really, really good performance, then his pro day was phenomenal as well. The film screamed potential superstar especially the Georgia game. At least to me it always seemed like the criticism came outta nowhere so I always felt it was a bit disingenuous. Then when you look at the system he was coming into I just don't get it. Many of us Texans fans did in fact think that RoTY was possible because we thought he'd be better than Bryce, AR or Levis but not many of us could've predicted he'd be this good this quickly. Glad Nick and DeMeco trusted their own process.

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Absolutely! Anyone who watched that Georgia game shoulda known what was coming skill wise. It does make you wonder why he didn't unleash the whole arsenal earlier.

[@ericparker163]

Great show, appreciate it. Couple of things on the Houston D. Kwami Lassister is going to lockdown the 2nd CB spot. The draft hype over his 40 time is going to look foolish in hindsight. Him and and Sting together are going to take away the top two options. The ball has to come out quick too cuz the dline is insane. DeNico Autry is right between Anderson and Hunter. Watch the highlights from those three and then imagine playing next to each other. As a fan since their inception, I've never felt like we've had a better chance to be a Superbowl team.

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Great points man! Autry is a guy I meant to touch on, but we are trying to keep these more concise, so we do lose certain important points here and there. He’s him, and another part of why this D Line is gonna cook. Thanks so much for watching and good luck on your Super Bowl journey, just don’t beat the Lions if it comes down to it. 🙏

[@jmarq2000]

Everything you said is on point! We should improve against the run with Aziz*

[@ericparker163]

"He's not big and he doesn't need to be because you can't cover him" ❤🙏 Amen. That's Tank's game in a nutshell. If you haven't seen footage of him running in minicamp, it's gonna sound crazy, but he looks faster, like might have dropped a full tenth off his 40 time faster. Everyone eats in Houston. Tank is gonna feast.

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Yes sir!!! He’s one of the most talented and electric receivers playing right now. And what you’re saying doesn’t sound crazy to me, he’s gonna be just fine.

[@stevenwilcox3985]

I can see them taking a step back and I am a Texans fan but they do have the building blocks to go forward.They have a tough road to go this year with the schedule they have.

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Interesting! You’re the first person in here with a little skepticism I’d say. The NFL stands for not for long, so this is a very real possibility, especially in a division which got a lot better this offseason. I do like this team a lot though.

[@reginaldreagor2143]

Your not a Texans fan say stupid shit like that if you not confident in the team go root for someone else

[@joelester7704]

All of my friends were on the Bryce Bus before the draft. I on the other hand was always wanting C.J. for the Texans. After he threw that interception in preseason I heard about what a mistake that the team had made. I still thought that he was the right choice, but I never envisioned him being what he turned out to be. I would love to see a Texans/Lions Superbowl. They were so similar. Neither team got any respect.

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

I’m highlighting this comment. Awesome take man, we’re Lions fans so we appreciate it. CJ really cooked out there, we all undersold him, but props for not jumping off the train preseason like a lot of goofballs did. Especially in the media, we remember lol.

[@trisarahtopz__]

Juice Scruggs was hurt the majority of the year and only played 7 games unfortunately. He’ll definitely start at center this coming season

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Somebody else pointed that out too. That should be a nice little push on the O Line for them this season as well. Thanks for watching 🙏

[@jakewoodisgood1]

great video so far, Stroud only threw 5 interceptions last year though and it's worth noting that 3 of them came in one game which is even better seeing how many clean games he played all season long.

[@22vah]

Texans will be a solid respectable team over the next decade. They're not going to dominate anyone.. in fact this year the schedule is brutal. Hopefully fans will be patient w this team💪🏿

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

I agree actually. I think the expectations have skyrocketed, but people gotta remember that Rome wasn’t build in a day. Solid take, thanks 🙏

[@songsunltd]

I’m a Texans fan and I wasn’t sold on CJ because of him coming from Ohio State. Largely due to him possibly having the greatest wr core in college football history. Now I’m beginning to believe it may have been the other way round. Not to take anything away from that core cuz they were really good. But it may be because of CJ’s greatness.

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

I understand completely, great take. As a Michigan fan, I think I undersold how well coached our defense was, because CJ is really him.

[@YepNah]

Loved the fact you talked about Tank not really being a slot receiver even though that's what his body type suggests.

[@YepNah]

That said Nico Collins is still to me as a Texans fan the true #1 (while healthy) I even think he gets mistyped because of his size where he doesn't necessarily play small but his skillset is more of a small guy where he's an absolute YAC monster.

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

He’s one of my favorite players in the league right now. Thanks so much for watching 🙏

[@paulLawrence-ud9vn]

I believe that the Texans are the best team in Texas right now. I believe that the Texans can be in the super bowl this season. I've been a fan from the frist day. I'm really proud to be a Texans fan right now. Texans SWARM GO TEXANS

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Hey man, that’s awesome. So happy for the day one fans. Thanks for watching 🙏

[@Wellplayed1304]

I know that some people don’t want to hear it, but it’s True…….God is a Texan fan!!!

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Not sure if that’s true or not, but he has definitely started to notice them! 😂🙏

[@chrisanders713]

Hallelujah to that! Go Texans!!!

[@kenneth2593]

Update ! Nico is 6’-4” and is 222 lbs. now

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Hey, thanks! 😂 And thanks for watching 🙏

[@jakewoodisgood1]

The thing that held Scruggs back was he was injured in training camp and did not even start a game untill about week 10 or so. but yes he was getting better each week it seemed and should turn into a fine pick i believe.

[@Daveduncan49]

Nick C. Is the architect over 3 years strapped with Watson's fiasco shopping for FA for 1yr contracts, drafting players that had talent, building draft capital from Watson trade. Then going hard for coaching and high draft picks. Nick plays 3 dimensional chess.

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

He really truly is one of the best GMs in the NFL right now.

[@jalenjohnson0339]

Rough schedule for us but honestly I have all the confidence in the world with this team we are pretty stacked talent wise. While CJ Nico Tank and Diggs will be great. Getting Joe Mixon was an underrated pickup because he going to take a lot of pressure off of CJ and he doesn’t have to throw the ball 40 plus times for to win. He had to do that because our run game was awful last year due to mostly Pierce wasn’t getting it done and our o-line was beat up. If our oline stays healthy we could probably have a top ten offense maybe top 5 offense On defense Danielle and Will are going to me monsters off the edge wouldn’t be shock if they both get double digits sacks. Stingley when healthy is a top 10 CB in this league and Kamari Lassiter if he continues to have a great camp he probably has that CB2 spot on lockdown and Christan Harris is slowly becoming one of the underrated players in this league. All in all I’m excited for my squad but we still have work to do because if we want to win the bowl number 15 of the Chiefs and number 8 on the Ravens are in our way. But we have the team that can compete with them Great video fellas

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Thank you! I could tell you are a real Texans fan. Really appreciate the insight and the comment.

[@chrisanders713]

"Not our Superbowl year" Thank yall for saying that. It's so much more fun when people don't expect it. I proudly put this team up against any other team in the post season, especially KC and Baltimore. I know this team isn't afraid to go toe to toe with Lamar or Mahomes and I believe CJ will end up being even better than both. Go Texans!!

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

We can only pick one team and it’s the Lions this year. It’s gonna be a hell of a season in Houston I think though so good luck! Thanks for watching 🙏

[@vickmcfadden833]

Be so cool if next SB is Houston vs Detroit

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

That would be an awesome matchup.

[@jakefromtexas7025]

I still can't believe scouts and GMs saw the Georgia game and his pro day and were like.... "Nah" Thank you to everyone, but especially Carolina and Lovie Smith. Much appreciated.

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

It’s an absolute come up for you guys 😂 Thanks for watching 🙏

[@MRKNIGHT]

The answer is Yes!

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Love it!!

[@Chuy-un4uk]

TEXANS TO THE SUPER BOWL 🎉🎉🎉🎉👍👍👍👍

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

@@Chuy-un4uk totally possible.

[@jaanayson7694]

Great podcast 👍

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Thank you so much!! Great comment!

[@rafaeljimenez481]

This was not a 1 year rebuild. More like 3-4 years. All the comments about the one year head coach’s were always supposed be one years as the found the right coach. O-line has taken years to build up from the trade for Tunsil drafting Howard has been years. We just finally got a QB and going all in unlike other years we never committed all in because they knew we didn’t have the right coach or QB.

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Of course. There is quite literally no such thing as a one-year rebuild. When we say one year rebuild, it is meant a bit tongue in cheek. First year head coach and a rookie quarterback combination being this successful in year one is typically pretty unheard of. That’s what we mean by one year rebuild.

[@3rdCoastSportsTV]

CJ had 5 picks not 6

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Makes my point even better lmao. My mistake!

[@3rdCoastSportsTV]

@@putmeincoachpod2024 it’s all good and that’s the reason i left the comment. Lmao

[@austin1519]

I had no idea Anderson is that dominant

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

The numbers I gave are since 2000 when these metrics started being recorded, so it isn’t all time, but it’s pretty damn impressive.

[@ericparker163]

Without looking, CJ threw 5 int last year 😂 3 was in one game (Saints) didn't throw another all season.

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

@@ericparker163 Yeah somebody already pointed this out and we acknowledged it. Thanks for the correction though.

[@InfernoFireStyle]

The 3 ints were against the Cardinals, btw

[@notoriousbleed4669]

3 in one game after he probably was concussed

[@8Nickgarcia]

No they’re not easy. They are a really good team though with a bright future.

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

@@8Nickgarcia Lowkey how we feel, but that title just isn’t as sexy, ya know?

[@8Nickgarcia]

@@putmeincoachpod2024 I get you I used to hate the Texans as a cowboys fan but I’m not going to speak out of my ass like some people. When they hired the coach last year I knew he would put them in the right direction dude was a good player too.

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

@@8Nickgarcia You can’t, you gotta roll with it. Sometimes you’re wrong. P.S sorry about the Boys. I went to AT&T for the Rams game last season, I really thought they had a chance to make it last season, they were nice.

[@8Nickgarcia]

@@putmeincoachpod2024 can’t let the cowboys or sports get me too high or too low I’ve learned that. Yeah I expect another 11-6 team this season at worst.

[@brianherrera1390]

Like the presentation right away. You guys gotta sub from me.

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Thanks my man! More to come 🙏

[@713God]

It wasn’t a one year rebuild it was 3

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Didn’t we cover what happened in the couple of years leading up to 2023? Do you think I meant that a 53 man roster was put together in one season, or do you think I was referring to the fact that it was year one for this head coach and year one for this quarterback and they exceeded expectations?

[@713God]

@@putmeincoachpod2024 honestly I just watched the first part but when ppl say it was a one year rebuilding like you said in the first 2 minutes (I was busy didn’t have time to finish). I watched 3 years of ass. You’re not the first ppl to say that jokingly or not. It was a tough rebuild but three years is really the standard rebuild when you literally on have one or two franchise players to begin with. Tunsil being that…

[@carlosazuara8981]

Didn’t he only have 5 interceptions?

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Yes he had 5.

[@Frankieknuckls]

Tank dell is Mr TD

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

He’s the best!

[@dance2jam]

CJ had 5 interceptions, guys. Not 6.

[@travisweatherspoon8092]

Scruggs didn't play till late in the year. He was injured

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

And CJ played better once he entered the lineup.

[@yanik8149]

If you think this was a one year rebuild your mistaken

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

@@yanik8149 did they or did they not get their franchise QB, DE, Coach and OC just this past season?? It’s hyperbolic.. but not really..

[@reginaldreagor2143]

Who yall think go win we face yall this year Texans vs lions lol

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Lions!!! 😂

[@reginaldreagor2143]

@@putmeincoachpod2024 I got Texans lol

[@TrillieTre]

We've never said he was a bust ever and preseason doesn't count so why would you base his game play off of that .. that's a idiot move in itself .

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Agreed, but the idea that people weren't down on him during the pre draft process and after the first preseason game is objectively not true. Many GM's and talking heads were scared of his S2 test after he scored an 18, some called him "un-draftable". Im shocked you don't remember any of this.

[@TrillieTre]

@@putmeincoachpod2024 I remember I played football for years .. outside noise never mattered.

[@ajhinojosa4064]

As a Texans fan since day 1 idk where yall getting the 1 yr rebuild? U know how much the media loved to dog us as the nfl worst run franchise for 3 yrs straight before we landed Stroud.

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

@@ajhinojosa4064 it’s hyperbolic. You guys went from the 2nd worst team to a contender in a year. You hit on the QB and Edge in a single draft. That’s the 1 year rebuild comment. Your two most important pieces came in a year, as well as your coach and OC. Of course it took more years to lay the ground work.

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

Why do we get keep getting this comment? The events leading up to 2023 were mentioned and talked about. Nobody thinks a 53 man roster is put together in one season. The “one year” comment you’re referring to is year one with this head coach and rookie QB. We rarely see success that fast. What’s so confusing about this?

[@notoriousbleed4669]

You just want to passify Panthers fans! Bro CJ and Bryce are totally different and even if CJ was at the Panthers he still wins 6 games and I don’t think the Texans make the playoffs and they might would’ve won 5 games with Bryce stop this blasphemy

[@putmeincoachpod2024]

No bro, we have no idea what Bryce can do. I don’t think he’s gonna be CJ per se, but Bryce was playing in a trash heap last year, knock it off. 😂