Texans Eyeing Sheldon Rankins Reunion After Bengals Release

The Houston Texans are in the market for reinforcements along their defensive line, and a familiar name has emerged as a potential target. Sheldon Rankins, who played for the Texans in 2023 before signing with the Cincinnati Bengals, is a free agent once again after being released last month. According to reports from Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle and Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, Houston has interest in bringing Rankins back.

Rankins, 30, signed a two-year, $26 million deal with the Bengals last offseason after the Texans made a strong push to re-sign him. However, his 2024 campaign in Cincinnati was derailed by injuries and illness, limiting him to just seven games. During that stretch, he logged 18 tackles and one sack, a steep drop-off from his productive year in Houston. With the Texans in 2023, Rankins recorded 37 tackles, six sacks, and a defensive touchdown, proving to be a disruptive force in the interior and a valuable mentor to younger players like Will Anderson Jr.

The Texans' defensive line remains a point of focus this offseason, particularly at defensive tackle. Veterans Foley Fatukasi and Mario Edwards Jr. are expected to test free agency, leaving a void in the middle of the front seven. Head coach DeMeco Ryans has been vocal about improving the interior defensive line, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the trenches as the team looks to build on last season’s AFC South title run.

Rankins' familiarity with Houston’s system and coaching staff makes him an appealing option. His ability to generate interior pressure while also serving as a locker-room leader could provide a much-needed boost to a defensive line that already features Pro Bowl edge rushers Danielle Hunter and Anderson. The Texans are expected to explore a deal for Rankins before free agency officially begins next week.

Houston will need to create additional salary cap space to facilitate offseason moves, but they have already begun that process by restructuring Nico Collins' contract, which freed up additional cap room. More restructures could be on the way for players like Hunter, Azeez Al-Shaair, and Laremy Tunsil, allowing the Texans to make key additions on both sides of the ball.

If a deal with Rankins materializes, it would give the Texans a proven veteran presence at defensive tackle while allowing them flexibility in how they approach the position in the draft. According to Jonathan M. Alexander, names like Bengals defensive tackle B.J. Hill and Broncos defensive tackle D.J. Jones are also worth keeping an eye on as potential targets.

As the new league year approaches, the Texans' plans in free agency will soon become clearer. Rankins remains a name to watch, but Houston could explore other options as well. I will be taking a deep dive into the defensive line room myself soon.