Houston enters 2026 looking to return to the playoffs after being crushed by New England in the postseason last year. An NFL insider points to second-year receiver Jayden Higgins as the spark—citing his rookie production and a strong finish to the season that
The Houston Texans didn’t just fall short in the postseason last year—they were crushed by New England. then left to watch the season end without the burst they needed. Now the team is pushing toward the 2026 season with a clearer question hanging over every offseason: can Houston get its offense back to the level that playoff weeks demand?.
For one NFL view, the answer may start with what happens to second-year wide receiver Jayden Higgins.
In a recent piece. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated pointed directly to Higgins as the Texans’ most important second-year signal for where the offense could be headed. Breer wrote that the Texans’ offense had “a really nice spring,” and singled out Higgins as the player worth watching. Higgins. Breer noted. was a spot starter last year and came on late—finishing with a strong stretch that defined Houston’s push.
Breer’s numbers make the case feel immediate: in Houston’s last nine regular-season games, Higgins recorded 27 catches for 364 yards and four touchdowns. When the playoffs arrived, he didn’t disappear—he hauled in nine catches for 98 yards.
It’s a storyline built on what came before, too. Higgins played in all 17 games as a rookie in Houston, producing 41 receptions for 525 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He also added nine receptions for 98 yards during the postseason. Those aren’t just “nice rookie numbers”—they’re the foundation that gives the second-year leap a real chance to matter.
The Texans will be counting on that leap when 2026 arrives. Breer’s spotlight on Higgins comes with expectations for other key second-year growth as well. Houston is also looking for big improvements from running back Woody Marks and tackle Aireontae Ersery.
If the Texans get those sophomore seasons to line up—Higgins on the perimeter. Marks in the backfield. and Ersery anchoring the front—Breer suggests Houston could reach something bigger than “playoff contention.” He even frames it as a championship window in the AFC. contingent on that collective maturation.
Breer connects the player development to the direction of the organization. pointing to where the Texans stand entering DeMeco Ryans’s fourth year and GM Nick Caserio’s sixth season. With a young team that’s moved beyond just accumulating rising talent. Houston’s goal is no longer simply to grow. It’s to compete.
That’s why training camp takes on added weight this year. The first test of Higgins’ momentum won’t be another stat line—it’ll be how quickly he can make the leap in the early work. Higgins is expected to be watched closely when training camp starts in late July.
Houston Texans Jayden Higgins DeMeco Ryans Nick Caserio Woody Marks Aireontae Ersery NFL 2026 season playoffs