The Houston Texans have made significant changes to their offensive line in a bid to bounce back from their disappointing playoff exit against the Kansas City Chiefs. In a bold move, the Texans traded star left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders, a decision that surprised many fans and analysts alike. To fill the void left by Tunsil, Houston acquired Cam Robinson, a move that signals a new direction for the team's offensive line strategy.
As part of their overhaul, the Texans also decided to move on from Kendrick Green and Kenyon Green, showing a commitment to reshaping their roster. To further bolster the offensive line, they signed Laken Tomlinson, a veteran guard at the age of 33, who is expected to cement his position as the starting left guard.
On March 21, 2025, the Texans continued their aggressive approach by signing free-agent offensive tackle Trent Brown to a one-year deal valued at $3 million. NFL insider Ian Rapoport first reported the news, highlighting that Brown's signing adds further depth to Houston's offensive front.
Trent Brown is coming off a challenging season with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he only played in three games due to a torn patellar tendon. Despite his limited action, he has a wealth of experience, having previously spent three successful seasons with the New England Patriots. At nearly 32 years old, his career has had its ups and downs, including some drama that culminated in reports of him quitting the Patriots late in the 2023 season. Teammates had expressed frustration, believing he failed to return to play despite being capable, prompting accusations of him "protecting himself and his future earnings."
In his brief time with the Bengals, Brown's performance was not particularly eye-catching; he recorded a score of just 65.2 on Pro Football Focus (PFF) across 139 snaps. Nevertheless, Brown's versatility shines through as he has played at both left and right tackle throughout his career. While he has seen his best success on the left side, he will likely take on right tackle duties for the Texans, allowing Cam Robinson to hold the left tackle position.
As it stands, Tomlinson will join Jarrett Patterson and Juice Scruggs to complete the Texans' new-look offensive line. The pressure now lies on this revamped unit to perform effectively, aiming to support quarterback CJ Stroud in the 2025 season. The organization hopes that these changes will reassure fans and improve the team's standing after the harsh criticism faced following their playoff defeat.
With the Texans’ front office actively reshaping the offensive line, the key question remains: will these strategic acquisitions be enough to instill confidence in the fanbase and transform their fortunes in the upcoming season?
