The Houston Texans’ 53-man roster is officially set for the 2021 campaign. Houston will embark on their new season next Sunday, Sept. 12, against the Jacksonville Jaguars as almost entirely new-look squad compared to last year.
Tyrod Taylor has been brought in to replace Deshaun Watson amidst a myriad of trade demands and pending litigation. Free agent acquisitions Mark Ingram and Phillip Lindsay are both listed ahead of the incumbent David Johnson at the running back position. Brandin Cooks projects to line up next to Nico Collins and Anthony Miller with the respective departures of Will Fuller and Keke Coutee.
A new general manager, new coaching staff ,and new faces litter the offense. Never before has all the new felt so old and uninspiring.
The Texans project to be one of the least dynamic offenses in the NFL. David Culley has preached that they’re committed to running the ball whenever possible and Taylor is notorious for running an efficient, conservative passing offense when he takes the helm.
For a talent deficient roster, this strategy may ultimately pass for Houston in the form of four to five wins this season. However, it is one that may leave many fans opting to watch other team’s dynamic talents and schematic prowess across the league.
This morning, in a bit of a shocking move, the New England Patriots released quarterback Cam Newton. The former 2015 NFL MVP, who was the Patriot’s unquestioned starter in 2020, was expected to be the veteran presence in New England and quarterback the team until their rookie quarterback, Mac Jones, was ready to take over.
The move signaled to the NFL and their own locker room an unwavering confidence in Jones, the 15th overall selection, to lead the team through the season while casting a large shadow over Newton’s ability to start at age 32. His advancing age, questionable ball placement, and vaccine hesitancy may have no place in the NFL in 2021.
Newton is largely considered to have declined since his 2015 season with the Carolina Panthers’ after a multitude of injuries. Last season he threw only 8 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while adding an additional 12 touchdowns on the ground for the Patriots.
Despite any concerns about his age, this represents a unique opportunity for the 2021 Houston Texans. The opportunity to be interesting again.
Newton represents a low risk, high upside signing for the Texans. A talent that could add another layer to a team committed to running the ball while providing only a moderate drop off in passing efficiency from Taylor.
In 2020, he completed 66% of his passes, Taylor in his last full season in Buffalo completed 63%. Newton’s legs would create confusion for opposing defenses and generate additional running lanes for Phillip Lindsay, Mark Ingram, or whoever is lining up in the backfield.
This may be unlikely to happen considering how late into the off-season Newton’s release has occurred and with Culley again and again preaching his comfort with Taylor running the offense. However, there’s no debate, the Texans’ have an opportunity to be interesting again on offense beyond the simple development of their third-round wideout in Nico Collins.
If you’re going to land a top-5 pick, you may as well have fun doing it. Houston has a chance to fill seats, draw better viewership, all while maintaining their commitment to mediocrity for 2021.
Time will tell if Nick Caserio takes the bait.