Will Anderson believes that the Houston Texans should be considered a Super Bowl contender after a promising offseason.
Most star players on the NFL team believe that sentiment, but Anderson might have a point following another week of OTAs.
The Texans did everything to build off of their 12-win season last fall behind C.J. Stroud, including making the Pro Bowler’s life more comfortable. On the offense, Houston traded for Lions running back David Montgomery and drafted Georgia Tech offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge. In free agency, the Texans bolstered the trenches with the additions of Colts’ longtime tackle Braden Smith and Browns’ All-Pro guard Wyatt Teller.
Defensively, everyone was paid this offseason. Anderson, the prize jewel of the 2023 NFL Draft, inked a three-year, $150 million extension to stick around through 2023. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and defensive end Danielle Hunter also signed new deals to keep the defensive corps in tact.
So yes, while sometimes it’s nothing more than a hyperbole said to rally the troops, Anderson might have a point when discussing the internal belief set by the Texans that they can win a Super Bowl.
“What we want as a team is right in front of us,” Anderson said Thursday after OTA practice. “I told the guys today when we broke it down, ‘everybody in this circle believes that this is a Super Bowl team.
“The front office, the coaches, they made decisions to bring you here because they thought you could help us win that Super Bowl, so you’re a Super Bowl caliber player.’ I look at this team and I think we got Super Bowl-caliber players all over the field. It’s just about taking that next step….I look back at my last four years, this has been the best OTAs that we’ve had offensively & defensively.
“I love the rookie class that we got. Everybody buying in.”
The Texans’ defense is coming off its best finish under DeMeco Ryans since 2023. Last season, Houston ranked No. 1 in total defense (277.2 yards per game) and No. 2 in scoring defense (17.4 points per game). Anderson and Hunter combined for 27 sacks and 49 tackles for loss, while the secondary forced 17 turnovers, which ranked second only behind Chicago for the most in the NFL.
The Texans open the regular season at home against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 12.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Super Bowl or bust? Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. believes team is ready to win a title.
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
