The Houston Texans are looking to make big changes to the defensive side of the ball. The defensive line will especially look vastly different in 2025 than it did last year. Two veteran defensive linemen, Mario Edwards and Foley Fatukasi are not expected to return.
It turns out that the Texans may replace them with a familiar face. According to Jonathan Alexander of the Houston Chronicle, the team will likely pursue Sheldon Rankins to replace the departing veterans. Rankins spent the 2023 season in Houston before earning himself a lucrative two-year deal with the Bengals.
"One name to watch in free agency, two league sources told the Chronicle, is Sheldon Rankins, who became a free agent after the Bengals released him last month. Rankins spent a year with the Texans in 2023 before signing with Cincinnati. "Jonathan Alexander, Houston Chronicle
The Bengals released Rankins earlier in the offseason after the 30-year-old struggled with injuries, illness, and underperformance in 2024. He missed three games due to a hamstring injury before returning in Week 6. He then went on to miss the last seven games of the season with a viral illness. He was never ruled out for the season, but Rankins was never able to return and was eventually placed on the non-football injured reserve before Week 18.
It's hard to take much out of Rankins' 2024 campaign. In his last healthy season, however, Rankins was a difference-maker for the Texans. In 15 starts, he put up six sacks, 10 QB hits, nine tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. Despite their interest in keeping him, the Texans were outbid by Cincinnati.
Now, they have a chance to bring him back on a more team-friendly deal. With the potential departures of Fatukasi, Edwards, and other pending free agents Kurt Hinish and Derek Barnett, the Texans will look to have a revamped defensive line next season. Having a familiar face like Rankins in the mix should help make that transition easier.