HOUSTON – The Houston Texans are maintaining their aggressive approach in free agency, bolstering their defense with the addition of former Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Niemann. Head coach DeMeco Ryans and his team are determined to make the leap from good to great this offseason, executing a series of key roster upgrades.
The Texans have signed Niemann to a two-year, $6.5 million deal. The 27-year-old linebacker brings versatility and high-level special teams play to Houston’s defense. A 2021 draft pick out of the University of Iowa, Niemann has spent his entire career with the Chargers, amassing 87 total tackles, one interception, and three passes defended. His athleticism and physical style of play make him a valuable asset, particularly in run defense and special teams.
Ryans has led an impressive turnaround in Houston, transforming the team from a 3-13-1 squad into a legitimate AFC contender. Under his leadership, the Texans have won back-to-back AFC South titles and secured playoff victories in consecutive seasons. However, their most recent campaign ended in a narrow playoff loss to the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs, marking the second consecutive year Houston was eliminated by the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
The Texans have made a trade with the Super Bowl champion Eagles. Philadelphia is sending C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Houston in exchange for guard Kenyon Green, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. As part of the deal, the Eagles will also trade a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Texans, who will send back a 2026 fifth-round pick.
The Texans’ defense performed admirably in the 2024-2025 season, allowing an average of 21.9 points per game, ranking 14th in the league. They also finished in the top ten in both rushing and passing defense. Despite their solid performance, the front office has prioritized defensive reinforcements this offseason, aiming to elevate the unit into one of the NFL’s elite. With a stacked AFC featuring several top-tier quarterbacks, an upgraded defense is essential for Houston’s championship aspirations.
While the defense continues to improve, the Texans also have high expectations for quarterback C.J. Stroud’s development. The former Ohio State standout took the league by storm in his rookie season, earning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. However, his second season was more uneven, underscoring the need for further growth as Houston strives for a deep playoff run. At just 23 years old, Stroud remains one of the league’s most promising young quarterbacks, but he will need to close the gap between himself and the AFC’s elite signal-callers.
With their latest defensive acquisition, the Texans are signaling their intent to compete at the highest level in the 2025-26 season. As Houston pushes for its first AFC Championship Game appearance in franchise history, Ryans and his squad remain focused on building a roster capable of contending with the best in the league.
