The Indianapolis Colts are striving to make the playoffs in 2026 for the first time since 2020. General manager Chris Ballard (whose team has made the postseason twice since he became GM in 2017) seems excited that he re-signed Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans have bigger goals, it seems.
Indy wants to make the playoffs. Houston wants to win the Super Bowl. That is how the teams have seemingly approached the offseason. The Texans made two other moves on Wednesday that pushed an immediate need to at least next year. Houston picked up the fifth-year options of quarterback CJ Stroud and edge rusher Will Anderson.
If exercising the options of Stroud and Anderson were the only thing that Houston had done this offseason, no big deal. Those were obvious bits that the Texans had to do. Both will also likely soon be signed to longer-term extensions. But Houston has done so much more.
Houston Texans making the moves Indianapolis Colts fans should be jealous of
While Chris Ballard signed Jones and Pierce and a bunch of players who have yet to make massive impacts in the NFL, Houston snatched up right tackle Braden Smith from Indy, signed safety Reed Blankenship from the Philadelphia Eagles, added guard Wyatt Teller from the Cleveland Browns, and traded for running back David Montgomery.
Overall, the Texans have rebuilt an underwhelming offensive line, improved an already good secondary, and added a well-rounded running back who will help in all phases of the offense. Houston has attacked the offseason like it was just steps from winning a title.
The Houston Texans don't worry about making the playoffs and making a run at the AFC South title. They assume those things are true. Instead, they looked at a tough loss to the New England Patriots in the playoffs and thought, "We are almost where we want to be, and need just a few changes."
With Chris Ballard, the Indianapolis Colts have made every attempt to re-run what happened in the first half of the 2025 season, a season that didn't end with a playoff loss. Instead, just like every season in the previous four, Indy players could make early vacation plans.
Ballard might be happy that he was able to bring back Jones and Pierce, but with what ultimately matters (a deep run in the postseason), the Texans have aimed higher and accomplished more. That could prove even more true in the hunt for the division crown in 2026.