What’s next for the Houston Texans after playoff loss to Chiefs?

One week after rallying to win in the wild card round, the Houston Texans collapsed at Kansas City. What does the immediate future hold for the club?

For the fourth time in six years, the Houston Texans were AFC South champions. And unfortunately for the franchise, that exact number is repeated when it comes to failing to reach the AFC title game. While this recent run falls on the shoulders of head coach Bill O’Brien, this is a franchise that has yet to get past the Divisional Round of the playoffs in each of its six postseason appearances dating back to 2011.

Of course, this most recent failure may sting the most. Deshaun Watson and the Texans owned a 24-0 second-quarter lead at Kansas City before falling by a 51-31 score. The team had its issues on defense in 2019 and they proved to be costly when it counted most.

Thus, the 2020 offseason has begun in Houston and their path through free agency and the NFL Draft will be fueled by a desire to see past the Divisional Round in the future.

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So What’s Next?

There were some question marks regarding the futures of O’Brien and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel following the collapse at Kansas City but that comes with the territory of the team’s failures in the Divisional Round.

In terms of personnel, the Houston secondary underwent numerous changes this past offseason and it might be another year where the same will occur. Potential free agents in this area include cornerbacks Bradley Roby and Johnathan Joseph, as well as safety Jahleel Addae. On offense, the team would be wise not to let physical runner Carlos Hyde get away.

Biggest Offseason Concern?

Only three teams in the league allowed more yards through the air this past season and the club gave up 33 touchdown passes while totaling only a dozen picks in 16 regular-season outings. And in the playoff loss at Arrowhead Stadium, Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 321 yards and five scores without an interception.

Of course, this defense had its struggles overall and there could be an overhaul in 2020 when it’s all said and done. The Texans ranked 28th in total defense and 25th vs. the run. A year ago, this club allowed the 12th-fewest total yards in the league and only two teams in the NFL allowed fewer yards on the ground.

While the Houston Texans continue to rack up division titles (six since 2011), the failure to reach the conference title game has to be a source of frustration for the franchise. There were strides made in certain aspects in 2019 but there’s still plenty of work to be done. With limited picks in this year’s draft, it will be interesting to see how O’Brien and company bolster this team.