The Houston Texans have taken significant steps to bolster their roster before the NFL free agency period begins, focusing on their offensive line as part of the C.J. Stroud protection plan. On the brink of the new league year, the Texans restructured contracts and finalized a major extension, setting a foundation for protecting their quarterback moving forward.
Ed Ingram Signs Three-Year Extension Worth $37.5 Million
Houston agreed to a three-year contract extension with guard Ed Ingram valued at $37.5 million, with $23.5 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The new deal pays Ingram $12.5 million annually, placing him alongside peers such as Denver’s Ben Powers and Jacksonville’s Patrick Mekari in terms of salary.
Rearranging the Offensive Line After Key Trades
The Texans have been actively reshaping their offensive front, trading tackle Tytus Howard to Cleveland on March 2 and sending Juice Scruggs to Detroit in exchange for running back David Montgomery. In addition to Ingram’s extension, Houston also secured veteran tackle Trent Brown on a one-year contract worth up to $7 million on March 5.
Building Around Core Linemen to Support Stroud
Houston is aiming to build their line protection around Ingram and second-year left tackle Aireontae Ersery. Interior linemen Jarrett Patterson and Jake Andrews remain under contract through 2026, along with Brown, ensuring some stability. These moves reflect the Texans’ clear intent to prioritize safeguarding quarterback C.J. Stroud this offseason.
Remaining Cap Space and Potential Draft Plans
With approximately $31.33 million in cap space available before free agency, Houston could pursue further additions to reinforce their offensive line. The Texans also hold the 28th overall pick in the upcoming draft, which might be used to select another offensive lineman, underscoring the importance of this unit to their strategy.
Future Outlook for the Texans’ Offensive Line
As the Texans continue to retool, the protection of C.J. Stroud remains a critical focus amid uncertainty about how aggressively the team will pursue free agents or draft picks to complete their revamped offensive line. These recent contracts and trades suggest Houston is preparing to make the necessary investments to support their young quarterback’s development.
“Ingram lands $12.5 million per season on his new contract, which puts him in the same neighborhood as Broncos guard Ben Powers ($13 million) and Jaguars guard Patrick Mekari ($12.5 million).” – Jeremy Fowler, ESPN
“The Texans made it a priority to re-sign Ingram before the NFL’s legal tampering period, which opens at 12PM ET on Monday.” – Ian Rapoport, NFL Network
Sources: The #Texans and standout G Ed Ingram have agreed to terms on a 3-year, $37.5M deal to keep him in Houston.
Ingram gets $12.5M per year in a deal done by @AgentNicoleLynn of @KlutchSports. A priority for Houston, getting it done before free agency. pic.twitter.com/zcz9albxUn
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2026
Ed Ingram’s three-year, $37.5M deal with the Texans includes $23.5M in guarantees, per source.
Houston had been working to get this done, now beats the clock before the tampering period.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 9, 2026
