As the 2025 NFL offseason unfolds, Houston Texans fans are eagerly watching for the next big move. While we can’t predict exactly when things will happen, looking back at last year’s free agency timeline gives us a strong idea of how Nick Caserio operates.
So far, Houston has already been active, making key financial moves and adding talent. The trade for Christian Kirk on March 6 closely mirrors last year's Joe Mixon trade, and the team has cleared cap space with restructures, including Nico Collins and Azeez Al-Shaair.
With wide receiver, offensive line, and a possible extension for Derek Stingley Jr. still in focus, let’s revisit how the Texans operated in 2024 to set expectations for this year.
A Look Back at the Texans’ 2024 Offseason Moves
Houston entered last offseason aiming to bolster the pass rush, solidify the offensive playmakers, and retain key contributors from the previous year’s playoff squad. Here’s a breakdown of how things unfolded and when the major moves happened.
2024 Free Agency Timeline
March 4 – Franchise Tag Deadline
Teams had until this date to use the franchise tag on pending free agents. The Texans did not apply the tag.
March 11 (11 AM CST) – Legal Tampering Period Begins
Teams could begin negotiating with unrestricted free agents, though no contracts could be signed until March 13.
March 13 (3 PM CST) – Free Agency Officially Opens
Players could sign contracts, and teams could finalize trades.
Texans’ 2024 Roster Moves (By Date)
Pre-Free Agency Retentions
March 8 – Texans re-signed tight end Dalton Schultz.
Free Agency Frenzy Begins
March 12 – Houston re-signed Ka’imi Fairbairn (K), Desmond King II (DB), and Eric Murray (S) to maintain stability on special teams and defense.
March 14 – One of the biggest days of free agency:
Texans signed star pass rusher Danielle Hunter to bolster the defensive front.
Re-signed DT Khalil Davis for depth.
Acquired RB Joe Mixon via trade from the Bengals, securing a reliable lead back.
Additional Free Agency Signings & Trades
March 19 – Texans signed Kris Boyd (CB), Mario Edwards (DL), Charlie Heck (OL), Folorunso Fatukasi (DT) and waived Ka’dar Hollman.
March 21-22 – More depth pieces added with WR/Returner Steven Sims and CB CJ Henderson joining the roster.
April Blockbuster Trade & Final Additions
April 1-4 –
Texans signed Derek Barnett (DE), Neville Hewitt (LB), and Myles Bryant (DB).
April 4 – The biggest move of the offseason: Texans traded for Stefon Diggs from the Buffalo Bills, giving C.J. Stroud an elite No. 1 receiver.
April 18-23 – Texans made minor roster moves, including signing Dare Ogunbowale (RB) and Jacob Phillips (LB).
Contract Extension for a Key Offensive Weapon
May 29 – Texans extended WR Nico Collins, locking in their top receiver for the future.
Notable 2025 Offseason Moves So Far
March 5 – Restructured Nico Collins’ contract to create cap flexibility.
March 5 – Re-signed RB Dare Ogunbowale, keeping a key depth piece and special teams contributor.
March 6 – Traded for WR Christian Kirk (mirroring last year’s Joe Mixon trade, giving up a 7th-round pick).
March 7 – Restructured LB Azeez Al-Shaair’s contract to clear additional cap space.
March 7 – Released veteran guard Shaq Mason, likely signaling a need to add to the offensive line in free agency or the draft.
What This Tells Us About the 2025 Offseason Timeline
Now that we’ve revisited 2024’s free agency period, what can we expect for 2025?
Key 2025 Dates (Same Structure as Last Year)
March 4 – Franchise Tag Deadline
March 10 (11 AM CST) – Legal Tampering Period Begins
March 12 (3 PM CST) – Free Agency Officially Opens
If the Texans follow a similar timeline to last year, we can anticipate:
First re-signings and cap-clearing moves (like the Nico & Azeez restructures) before free agency opens.
First big signings and trades between March 12-14.
Mid-level free agent signings between March 19-22.
Major trade (like Diggs last year) coming in early April.
Contract extensions (Nico Collins in 2024) happening in late May.
Who Will the Texans Target in 2025?
With free agency just days away, the Texans are expected to be aggressive in filling their biggest needs.
Wide Receiver Help
Even with Nico Collins and Christian Kirk in the fold, Houston may add another receiver via free agency or trade as well as draft one.
Offensive Line Reinforcements
Protecting C.J. Stroud remains a priority, and the right guard spot needs an upgrade following Shaq Mason’s release.
The Texans could sign or trade for an interior offensive lineman early in free agency, similar to how they addressed defense last year.
A Major Contract Extension: Derek Stingley Jr.
Last year, the Texans extended Nico Collins in May.
This year, many believe Houston will prioritize an extension for Derek Stingley Jr., who has emerged as a shutdown cornerback.
The Biggest Takeaway: Be Patient
While this timeline helps us understand when moves might happen, we can’t expect it to be identical every year. The biggest takeaway from looking back at 2024 is to remain patient.
Last year, many fans were frustrated that other teams made big moves on the first day, while Houston stayed quiet initially.
However, when the Texans did make their moves, they were impactful, with the blockbuster Stefon Diggs trade not happening until April.
This shows that a major signing or trade can happen at any time—even later in the process.
So while it’s exciting to refresh Twitter and wait for news when free agency starts, remember: the Texans’ front office has a plan, and big moves can come at any moment. Stay locked in, and let’s see how Houston builds its 2025 roster.
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