While the Texans entered the 2023 offseason with a laundry list of areas in which they needed to address and improve significantly, they did so most drastically with their head coach DeMeco Ryans.
The former 10-year veteran linebacker parlayed his success on a football field and aggressive coaching style into becoming an NFL head coach this year.
The short but well deserved journey to the top couldn't have been achieved without the talent assembled to take the coaching.
It was paramount that the Texans find solid, veteran players this offseason to mix with the youth assembled in each of the previous draft classes, that could help set the tone and foster the competitive, winning culture Ryans wants his team to be known for.
This offseason, the Texans acquired or resigned 24 free agents, most of which are on one-year contracts but provide significant upgrades throughout.
While safety Jimmie Ward, running back Devin Singletary, right guard Shaq Mason, tight end Dalton Schultz and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins have received most of the attention, the linebacker core has seen significant improvement as well.
Veterans like Denzel Perryman and Cory Littleton were brought in to help instill the aggressive, physical and attacking defense that Ryans wants to play with.
The Texans added linebacker Henry To'oTo'o this offseason as well, selecting him in the fifth round. The former all-SEC linebacker joins former Alabama teammate, second-year pro Christian Harris in the core and could provide a dynamic tandem in the near future.
It remains to be seen if Christian Kirksey will make the opening day roster as he and Perryman play the same position. Kirksey, a team captain on last years team has a year remaining on his current contract but could be a cap casualty.
Perryman, 30, joins his fourth organization as he enters his ninth season in the NFL, filling a major need for a defense that is in desperate need of run stoppers after finishing as the worst run defense in the league in two of the previous three seasons, including allowing a league worst 170.2 yards per game last season.
He figures to be that aggressive player at the second level the Texans have been missing.
"Tone-setter. Big-hitter, physical guy," Perryman said. "Basically, somebody that's going to give it their all every single play. Put my body on the line every single play, and a vocal leader. I try to lead by example, but sometimes the vocal part comes out of me."
Last season for the Raiders, Perryman recorded 83 tackles, had 14 tackles for loss, including one sack and two interceptions.
The eight-year veteran is coming off shoulder surgery after suffering a season-ending injury in week 16 last year. Perryman said he's just thankful the Texans gave him an opportunity to play again and understands the vision the architects of the roster have in mind.
"I feel like Coach [DeMeco Ryans] brought in a couple pieces, veteran guys for a reason," Perryman said. "Just teach the young guys how to play defense."
On both sides of the ball, the Texans have added experienced, veteran players to help mold the young talent on the team, which hasn't been lost on the newest Texans.
"Me and Shaq Mason were just talking about [that] the other day," Perryman said. "I was just like, 'Bro, I've been a part of some teams that had the roster.' Just, the chemistry that we all have, and it's not knocking any other team that I've been on, but just the chemistry—the young guys, the older guys—it is a great mixture, and I'll just say, 'Stay tuned' man. Just stay tuned. Watch us put it together."
Shaun Bijani has spent the last 17 years covering the Houston sports scene for SportsRadio 610. Follow him on Twitter @ShaunBijani.
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