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The Houston Texans’ evaluation process feels quite urgent heading into the 2026 season. After another aggressive offseason aimed at maximizing CJ Stroud’s championship window, general manager Nick Caserio has assembled one of their deepest rosters ever. That depth is a luxury, of course. However, it also guarantees painful decisions before Week 1 arrives. Veterans who once appeared safe suddenly find themselves fighting for roster spots against younger, more versatile competition. As the Texans pursue a deeper playoff run, tight end Brevin Jordan and offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson stand out as legitimate cut candidates.
Raising expectations
The Texans enter training camp with one overriding objective: ensure last season’s offensive line issues become a thing of the past. Protecting franchise Stroud became the organization’s top offseason priority after inconsistent pass protection in 2025. Caserio responded by aggressively rebuilding the trenches. He gave Stroud what should be a stronger and more dependable unit in front of him. The offense also welcomes a new dimension with David Montgomery joining the backfield. Tank Dell’s return also adds another explosive option to an already dangerous receiving corps.
Defensively, DeMeco Ryans still boasts one of the NFL’s premier edge-rushing duos in Will Anderson Jr and Danielle Hunter. However, linebacker injuries and the search for reliable pass-rushing depth remain important storylines throughout camp. Nearly every position group has become more competitive. This ensures that every practice rep and preseason snap will play a significant role in determining the Texans’ final 53-man roster.
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TE Brevin Jordan
Throughout Brevin Jordan’s career in Houston, he has consistently flashed the athletic ability that made him an appealing prospect coming out of college. His acceleration after the catch has produced memorable moments. The problem is that flashes alone no longer guarantee a roster spot. Houston’s tight end room has evolved dramatically over the past year. Jordan now finds himself battling circumstances more than ability.
Dalton Schultz remains firmly entrenched as the Texans’ primary receiving tight end. His chemistry with Stroud and reliability on third down make him one of the offense’s most trusted weapons. The front office also added Foster Moreau. He gives Houston another experienced option. His physical style complements what Ryans wants from the position. Meanwhile, Cade Stover and Marlin Klein continue to strengthen their cases by providing developmental upside.
That creates a difficult numbers game. Jordan’s biggest strength has always been functioning as someone creating mismatches in space. Unfortunately, Schultz already fills much of that receiving role. Moreau offers greater versatility in heavier personnel packages. Houston simply may not need another player with a similar skill set.
Unless Jordan demonstrates meaningful improvement as a blocker or carves out a significant special teams role during camp, it becomes increasingly difficult to justify carrying four tight ends.
OL Jarrett Patterson
No position group underwent a more dramatic transformation this offseason than Houston’s offensive line. That aggressive overhaul places Jarrett Patterson squarely on the roster bubble. To Patterson’s credit, he has provided valuable depth whenever called upon. Injuries repeatedly forced him into difficult situations. He consistently answered the challenge by filling multiple roles across the interior offensive line.
That may no longer be enough, though. The Texans made it abundantly clear this spring that protecting Stroud required a significantly higher standard. The additions of Wyatt Teller and Evan Brown immediately reshaped the depth chart. Teller brings proven high-level production. Brown’s versatility strengthens multiple positions along the interior. Jake Andrews has also emerged as another legitimate option at center. Suddenly, Patterson finds himself competing for one of the final offensive line jobs instead of serving as an automatic depth piece.
Houston’s coaching staff also wants athletic offensive linemen capable of maintaining clean pass-protection pockets for Stroud. Functional movement, lateral quickness, and positional flexibility have become much more valuable. While Patterson offers versatility, the front office appears intent on raising the overall athletic profile of the unit. That leaves him with almost no margin for error.
Embracing competition
Championship contenders are built through competition. The Texans have created exactly that environment entering training camp. They have surrounded CJ Stroud with a stronger supporting cast while challenging nearly every depth player to earn his place.
Brevin Jordan and Jarrett Patterson now find themselves on the bubble. Their collective experience alone no longer guarantees job security. The additions made throughout the offseason have fundamentally altered the roster landscape.
Training camp has a way of producing surprise success stories, but it also delivers difficult endings. Jordan must prove he still fills a unique role within an increasingly crowded tight end room. Patterson needs to convince the coaching staff that his versatility outweighs the upgraded talent surrounding him. If either player fails to separate himself over the coming weeks, both could become among the most notable casualties of Houston’s offseason transformation.
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