Houston Texans' Super Bowl hype for the 2024 season is real. With C.J. Stroud, Danielle Hunter, and Will Anderson Jr., can they finally win it all in 2025?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The offseason is barely in the rearview mirror, but the conversation in Houston has already shifted from 'playoff hopefuls' to 'legitimate contenders.' A new analysis on Thursday crowned the Texans as a prime candidate to win their first-ever Super Bowl, citing a ferocious defense led by Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., and the unflappable leadership of quarterback C.J. Stroud. The buzz is real, and as the team wraps up its offseason program, the pieces for a championship run appear to be falling into place.
The Texans are among 12 teams in the NFL still seeking their first Lombardi Trophy. Could 2025 finally be the year?
The case for a Texans Super Bowl run is built on a powerful foundation. Pundits are pointing to the team's elite pass-rushing duo of newly acquired Danielle Hunter and reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. as a nightmare for opposing offenses. This, combined with a formidable pass defense and the continued development of C.J. Stroud, creates a balanced and dangerous roster. The winning mentality established during last year's surprise playoff run has clearly carried over, with expectations now soaring to unprecedented heights.
While the established stars are getting the headlines, the Texans' offseason program revealed a potential new weapon. Rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins has emerged as a minicamp standout, consistently making plays and raising his stock significantly heading into training camp. His emergence is part of a larger theme, as many of C.J. Stroud's young teammates are looking to make a significant second-year jump, adding crucial depth to the ascending offense.
As one chapter of Texans football reaches for new heights, another officially closed. Franchise legend J.J. Watt put a definitive end to any lingering comeback speculation on Thursday. He confirmed he is not returning to the field and is instead embracing his new role as an analyst for CBS Sports. While fans will always hold out a sliver of hope, Watt's announcement allows the franchise and its supporters to fully focus on the exciting new era dawning in Houston.
Building a Super Bowl contender doesn't come cheap. A look at the Texans' 2025 salary cap shows a clear strategy of investing in top-tier talent while nurturing young, affordable contributors. Danielle Hunter's $20.2 million cap hit and Dalton Schultz's $14 million figure represent major commitments to veteran leaders. Meanwhile, the team's financial flexibility is buoyed by players on rookie contracts like Xavier Hutchinson and Henry To'oTo'o, creating a sustainable model for success.
With the offseason program now concluded, all eyes turn to training camp. The storylines are set: Can the Texans live up to the Super Bowl hype? Will Jayden Higgins translate his minicamp success to the regular season? And can C.J. Stroud lead this talented roster to the franchise's first-ever Lombardi Trophy? The foundation has been laid; now, the real work begins.
