Houston Texans trade for TE Kyle Pitts from the Falcons, giving C.J. Stroud a new weapon. But how did their rookie deal gridlock the entire 2025 NFL draft?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just when you thought the offseason was settling down, the Houston Texans dropped two seismic bombs on the NFL. In a stunning move, the team acquired superstar tight end Kyle Pitts from the Atlanta Falcons, immediately giving C.J. Stroud another elite weapon. But that was just the appetizer. The main course is the fallout from a move made months ago: a historic, fully guaranteed rookie contract that has now gridlocked the entire league as training camp looms.
As of today, 30 of the 32 second-round picks from the 2025 NFL Draft remain unsigned, all thanks to a groundbreaking deal the Texans signed back in May.
The Texans are officially in win-now mode. Sending a 2026 second-round pick to Atlanta for Kyle Pitts is a declaration of intent. Pitts, the former 4th overall pick and a matchup nightmare at 6'6", gives Houston's offense a dimension it lacked. Imagine defenses trying to cover Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and now a dynamic pass-catching tight end who can line up anywhere. For C.J. Stroud, it's another massive vote of confidence from the front office, providing him with a Pro Bowl-caliber target to elevate an already potent passing attack. This move isn't just about adding talent; it's about building an unstoppable offensive force in the AFC South.
While the Pitts trade grabs the headlines, the Texans' most impactful move might be the one they made on May 8. By signing their second-round pick, wide receiver Jayden Higgins (34th overall), to a fully guaranteed four-year, $11.7 million contract, GM Nick Caserio shattered a long-standing NFL precedent. Traditionally, only first-round picks received fully guaranteed deals. The ripple effect has been massive. Agents across the league are now demanding the 'Higgins deal' for their clients, leading to a league-wide standoff. With training camps just weeks away, 30 second-rounders are unsigned, and at least one player, Chargers WR Tre Harris, is already holding out. Caserio didn't just sign a player; he reset the market and created chaos for 31 other front offices.
These aren't your older brother's Texans. The franchise, once defined by the grit of legends like J.J. Watt, is forging a new identity built on aggressive, calculated risks. The Pitts trade and the Higgins contract are two sides of the same coin: a commitment to building a champion around a young, electrifying core. While other teams are stuck in negotiations, the Texans have their entire draft class signed and are adding Pro Bowl talent. This is the sign of a modern, forward-thinking front office determined to not just compete, but dominate. Houston is no longer the NFL's youngest franchise finding its way; it's a team actively rewriting its own history.
With Kyle Pitts heading to Houston and the rest of the league grappling with a contract crisis of the Texans' making, one thing is clear: all eyes are on H-Town. The next few weeks will be crucial as we see how Pitts meshes with the offense and if the rookie standoff impacts other teams' preparation for the season. For Texans fans, however, the message from the front office is loud and clear: the future is now, and they're not waiting for anyone's permission to build a contender.
