The Houston Texans are entering a pivotal offseason following a disappointing exit from the NFL playoffs. With expectations at an all-time high, the pressure is on the front office to refine the roster around their franchise quarterback, C.J. Stroud.

Legendary defensive end J.J. Watt, now a prominent analyst for CBS Sports, has weighed in on the situation with his characteristic honesty. Watt believes that for the Texans to take the next step, they must make difficult financial decisions regarding veteran players.

In a recent analysis, Watt identified three specific players who he believes have become “ineffective” relative to their cost. By releasing these three veterans, the Texans could free up approximately $24 million in salary cap space for the 2026 season.

This influx of capital is viewed as essential for the team’s evolution. The Texans are currently tight against the salary cap, limiting their ability to sign impact free agents or extend the contracts of their rising young stars like Will Anderson Jr.

The first player identified in Watt’s analysis is veteran guard Shaq Mason. Acquired to bring stability to the offensive line, Mason’s performance has reportedly declined over the last season, with metrics showing a drop in pass-protection efficiency against elite defensive interiors.

Mason carries a significant salary cap hit that no longer aligns with his on-field production. By designating him as a post-June 1st cut, the Texans could save nearly $9 million, a massive chunk of change that could be redirected toward younger, more agile linemen.

Watt noted that while Mason has been a professional and a leader, the NFL is a results-oriented business. The Texans’ offensive line struggled mightily in the playoff loss to the Patriots, and maintaining the status quo is not a viable strategy for improvement.

The second player on the list is wide receiver Robert Woods. Brought in to be a safety blanket for Stroud during his rookie year, Woods has seen his target share diminish significantly with the emergence of Tank Dell and Nico Collins as premier weapons.

Woods struggled to gain separation throughout the 2025 season, often finding himself covered by younger, faster defensive backs. His role has effectively been reduced to that of a rotational blocker, which is a luxury the Texans cannot afford at his current price point.

Releasing Woods would free up approximately $9.7 million in cap space. This move seems almost inevitable given the depth the Texans have at the receiver position and the need to allocate resources to the defensive side of the ball.

Watt emphasized that cutting Woods is not an indictment of his career, but a recognition of the team’s changing timeline. The offense needs explosive playmakers who can stretch the field, and Woods no longer fits that profile at this stage of his career.

The third player identified by Watt is veteran safety Jimmie Ward. Ward was a crucial signing for head coach DeMeco Ryans early in his tenure, helping to install the culture and the defensive scheme that Ryans brought over from San Francisco.

However, Ward has struggled to stay on the field due to lingering injuries. When he has played, his range and closing speed have shown signs of regression, leading to vulnerabilities in the back end of the Texans’ defense against deep passes.

Cutting Ward would generate roughly $5 million in savings. While his leadership in the locker room is valuable, Watt argues that availability is the best ability. The Texans need a safety who can play 17 games and cover ground sideline-to-sideline.

The combined savings from these three moves would total over $24 million. This war chest would fundamentally change the Texans’ offseason strategy, allowing General Manager Nick Caserio to be aggressive in pursuing high-end talent in free agency to fill defensive holes.

Watt’s analysis has sparked a debate among the Houston fanbase. Some fans are sentimental about the veterans who helped stabilize the franchise during the transition years. They worry that cutting leaders like Ward and Mason could disrupt the locker room chemistry.

However, the majority seem to side with Watt’s pragmatic approach. The window to win a Super Bowl with a quarterback on a rookie contract is fleeting. Maximizing that window requires ruthless efficiency in roster construction and salary cap management.

The $24 million could be used to sign a premier defensive tackle or a top-tier cornerback. These are positions of need that were exposed during the playoff loss. Adding a star defender could be the difference between a Divisional Round exit and a Super Bowl appearance.

Watt also pointed out that this money could be used to front-load contract extensions for homegrown talent. Locking up players like Derek Stingley Jr. and Nico Collins early is a smart long-term strategy that keeps the core of the team intact for years.

The term “ineffective” is harsh, but in the context of the salary cap, it is a necessary classification. Players are assets, and when the return on investment drops, successful organizations move on. The Patriots and Chiefs have dominated for years by adhering to this principle.

The Texans organization has not officially commented on Watt’s analysis, but the front office is undoubtedly crunching the same numbers. Nick Caserio has shown a willingness to churn the roster in the past, and he is unlikely to be sentimental this offseason.

For C.J. Stroud, losing veteran teammates is a difficult part of the business. However, he also understands that he needs better protection and a stronger defense to achieve his ultimate goal of bringing a Lombardi Trophy to the city of Houston.

The reaction from the players mentioned has been silence. They are professionals who understand the nature of the game. They know that their tape is their resume, and if they are cut, they will likely have opportunities with other teams, albeit at a lower price.

J.J. Watt’s transition from player to analyst has been seamless because he speaks with the authority of someone who has been in the trenches. He loves the Texans, which makes his criticism come from a place of wanting the team to succeed, not tear it down.

This “deletion” of contracts is a standard offseason procedure, but having a franchise icon call for it publicly accelerates the timeline. It prepares the fanbase for the inevitable departures and frames them as positive steps toward a championship.

As the new league year approaches, all eyes will be on the transaction wire. If the Texans follow Watt’s blueprint, it will signal a shift from a “rebuilding” mindset to a “championship or bust” mentality. The team is ready to shed the past to secure the future.

The pressure is now on the front office to execute. Clearing the space is the easy part; spending it wisely is where championships are won and lost. The $24 million question is: who will replace these veterans and can they elevate the team?

Ultimately, Watt’s assessment serves as a reality check. The 2025 season was a step forward, but it ended in disappointment. To avoid repeating history, the Texans must be willing to make the hard choices that separate the good teams from the great ones.

The legacy of the upcoming offseason will be defined by these moves. If the Texans can turn “dead weight” into dynamic playmakers, they will be the favorites in the AFC South once again. J.J. Watt has laid out the plan; now the Texans must follow it.