Houston’s rivals are building contenders, while the Texans are building excuses

Posted November 5, 2025

The NFL Trade Deadline came and went on Tuesday afternoon, but if you're a Houston Texans fan, you may have had no idea that this was the case. Actually, scratch that. Because if you do a quick scan of X or the Houston Texans' official reddit page, it's abundantly clear that Texans fans do indeed know that today was the trade deadline, because everyone seems to be up in arms about how things played out.

First and foremost, fans of the Texans seem to be stunned by the fact that the Indianapolis Colts -- 7-2 on the season and sitting atop the AFC South -- managed to pull off arguably the biggest and most consequential deal of the deadline, capitalizing on the New York Jets' firesale, acquiring two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner for the price of a pair of 1st Round picks and Adonai Mitchell.

It's a deal that suggests that the Colts are as all-in as you could possibly be on this year's team, the coaching staff and front office, Daniel Jones, and everything else. But it's not just a win-now move. It's a win now, and for the future move that gives Indianapolis a 25-year-old defensive back who is under contract for four more years.

Elsewhere in the AFC South, the Jacksonville Jaguars evidently liked what they saw from Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers during their visit to Sin City this past weekend, because Meyers is now a former-Raider and current-Jaguar. For the price of one 4th and one 6th round, getting a guy who had over 1,000 receiving yards last season feels like something of a steal, especially since the Jags are without Travis Hunter following a non-contact knee injury suffered during a recent practice.

Meanwhile, the Houston Texans, who are 3-5 and clinging to hope that a third straight trip to the Playoffs could be in the cards, did nothing at the 2025 trade deadline. They weren't buyers. They weren't sellers. They were non-factors, and that, it seems, is what has Texans fans the most upset in the aftermath of the deadline.

The Houston Texans feel like a directionless football team

Now first, let me concede two things: Number one, I am not a general manager, nor will I pretend to be smart enough to be one. That probably could've remained unsaid, but just to play it safe, I decided I'd say it anyway. Number two, we have no idea right now how aggressive general manager Nick Caserio tried to be over the last few hours.

For all we know, Caserio could've been on the phone since sunrise this morning, trying to find the perfect deal that could either better position the Texans for the present -- like one that would bring Breece Hall to Houston from New York -- or one that would help Houston in the future -- like any number of trades where veteran talent could've been shipped off to championship caliber teams in exchange for additional draft assets.

Instead, no deals materialized and the Texans are in the same position they started the day in... wondering what the hell this team is capable of over the next few seasons.

For as much talent as there is on the defensive side of the ball, the Texans offense lacks any legitimate blue-chippers unless you love the outlook for the CJ Stroud and Nico Collins partnership, or find yourself really encouraged with the progress of Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, Woody Marks or Aireontae Ersery. But even if you fall into that camp, the majority of the optimism probably comes from knowing what Stroud and Collins are capable of when they're both healthy.

Assuming those two are both healthy and that the Texans offensive line can provide Stroud time to throw, that connection can be electric. We've seen it before. But Collins missed multiple games last season, he's missed one already this year, and who knows how long Stroud will be out with a concussion. It's just another example of how this team is in limbo, and as history has told us, that might be one of the worst places you can be in the NFL.

 

Steelers Lose Reported Trade Target After Raiders-Jaguars Swap

If the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to add to their receiving depth, they’ll have to do so with someone other than veteran Jakobi Meyers.

The Steelers were linked to the wideout in multiple reports, but they’ll have to turn to Plan B after the Las Vegas Raiders reportedly traded Meyers to the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to multiple reports. The Jaguars, who lost first-round pick Travis Hunter to an injury recently, are reportedly sending a fourth- and sixth-round pick to the Raiders to complete the trade.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report the agreement.

Steelers Miss Out on Reported Trade Target Jakobi Meyers

The reported deal comes just a couple of days after The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported the Steelers and Buffalo Bills had expressed interest in trading for the 28-year-old receiver. Additionally, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler predicted a week before the deadline that Pittsburgh would win the Meyers sweepstakes, despite a reportedly high asking price.

That high price ultimately might have been too much for Pittsburgh. Meyers, a former 1,000-yard receiver, is a weapon, especially in the short and intermediate passing games. He’s a tough player who is a solid route-runner and likely would have been a nice weapon for Aaron Rodgers to utilize in the Steelers’ offense.

That said, he very likely could have been a rental. Meyers is in the final year of his contract, and after extension talks stalled with the Raiders, he requested a trade at the start of the season. Meyers recently doubled down on that request, seemingly removing some of the Raiders’ leverage.

That Las Vegas, which is going nowhere this season, could get a fourth-round pick out of the Jaguars is a good piece of business. It helped that Jacksonville had two fourth-rounders and could part with one. The Jaguars, as Schefter noted, had 13 picks in next year’s draft, which made it easier to swing this sort of deal.

Other Receiver Options for Steelers After Meyers Trade

From a Steelers standpoint, it’s also notable that it was the Jaguars who were the team to pry Meyers out of Las Vegas. Both teams enter Week 10 with 5-3 records, and Pittsburgh’s lead in the AFC North might not be as solid as it appears with Baltimore finding its footing. It’s certainly possible that the Steelers and Jaguars are battling for a wild-card spot in December and January.

It will be fascinating to see if the Steelers feel the need to pivot and still add a veteran receiver. One name that has come up, perhaps more as wishful thinking than anything else, is Miami standout Jaylen Waddle. The former first-round pick still seems unlikely to be traded, but the Dolphins firing general manager Chris Grier last week might have increased the possibility of it happening. The Dolphins, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, would need a deal that “blows them away” if they’re going to move the talented receiver.

Another name to watch is New Orleans Saints receiver Rashid Shaheed. He’s a much different type of player than Meyers as a deep-threat wideout, who could take a top off the defense. There has also been speculation that Titans receiver Calvin Ridley could also be on the move, but he’s a high-priced player who would require even more financial investment.

Sport
Steelers Lose Reported Trade Target After Raiders-Jaguars Swap
Steelers Lose Reported Trade Target After Raiders-Jaguars Swap
If the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to add to their receiving depth, they’ll have to do so with som...
Buccaneers must exploit this huge Patriots weakness
Buccaneers must exploit this huge Patriots weakness
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have gotten off to a great start, reaching 6-2 before the bye week to posi...
Eagles GM Details Reason Behind AJ Brown Deadline Decision
Eagles GM Details Reason Behind AJ Brown Deadline Decision
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver, AJ Brown, warming up prior to the game against the Minnesota Vi...
Browns’ Trade Bid for $130 Million Pro Bowl WR Shut Down
Browns’ Trade Bid for $130 Million Pro Bowl WR Shut Down
The New York Jets held a fire sale at the trade deadline but one name that was strictly off-limits w...
Kevin O’Connell Says Vikings Made Calls Before Quiet Trade Deadline
Kevin O’Connell Says Vikings Made Calls Before Quiet Trade Deadline
After a few rocky weeks with veteran quarterback Carson Wentz under center, the Minnesota Vikings ma...
Powered by Metaconex