After going 4-3 in 2024, the Jacksonville Jaguars are 8-4 with five weeks to spare. One big reason for their turnaround was that they beefed up the offensive line, an area of weakness the past two years, in the offseason. Granted, the group has struggled at times but has overall done a good job protecting Trevor Lawrence and opening holes in the running game.
The rival Houston Texans also tried to revamp their offensive line, but most of the moves they made after 2024 didn't pan out. In fact, they just accepted defeat with their latest roster moves.
The Texans just cut Laken Tomlinson
The Texans signed Laken Tomlinson to a one-year deal worth $4.2 million in free agency, but have chosen to cut ties with him 14 weeks into the regular season. The former Pro Bowl nod had struggled throughout the year and was a healthy scratch the two games prior to getting the axe.
With Tomlinson hitting the bench, Houston switched Titus Howard from right tackle to left guard, and plugged Trent Brown on the right edge. The move appears to be working, and the Texans deserve credit for taking the L instead of doubling down on their mistake. That said, their attempt to fix the offensive trenches has left much to be desired.
Aside from Tomlinson, Houston also locked up Cam Robinson in free agency. He was expected to protect C.J. Stroud's blindside but was quickly phased out in favor of rookie Aireontae Ersery, who's been a noticeable upgrade.
The one move the Texans made that did pan out was trading for Ed Ingram. After an unremarkable stint with the Minnesota Vikings, he was shipped to H-Town and has quickly turned the corner, posting a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 79.9, a career best.
A first-round pick in 2015, Tomlinson played two unremarkable seasons for the Detroit Lions before landing with the San Francisco 49ers, where he hit his stride and even made the Pro Bowl in 2021. He also spent time with the New York Jets and the Seattle Seahawks before joining the Texans.
Related: The Jags showed they deserve to be in the playoff conversation
The Jaguars can't take the Texans lightly despite their O-Line woes
Even though the Houston Texans failed to address the offensive line properly, they're 7-5 and just one behind the Jacksonville Jaguars. Their slow start to the season is now in the rearview mirror, and you could even make a case that they're a bigger threat than the Indianapolis Colts. Couple that with their defense, which is arguably the best in the NFL, and they could give the Jags trouble the rest of the way.
The good news is that Jacksonville already played the Texans twice this season (they split the series). However, the margin for error is slim. Heck, they could also make a run for the division title, so the Jags cannot afford to slow down the rest of the way and must take advantage of their remaining schedule.
Ultimately, two things can be true: The Texans didn't do a good job of addressing the O-Line in the offseason. On the other hand, they're still a formidable opponent, one the Jaguars must keep a close eye on.