Top 5 Insane 2025 Offseason Moves for the Houston Texans
The Houston Texans have been a tremendous disappointment in the first four weeks of the NFL season. They currently have a 1-3 record, and a big reason why is how disappointing a large chunk of their additions in the offseason haven’t panned out. Out of all the moves made by GM Nick Caserio, there 5 that stand out from the rest.
1. The Chauncey “CJ” Gardner Johnson Trade
This one is obvious. Chauncey “CJ” Gardner Johnson was acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, and he was expected to be a starting contributor on this defense. Well, the only contribution he was making was being a cancer and causing problems in the locker room. What else is new? It’s hard to keep track of how many times he has done this throughout his career.
The Texans had had enough with his antics they decided to release him. It’s telling that they’re willing to take a $2.5 million (2025) and $5.66 million cap hit (2026) for him not to play. Why couldn’t Gardner-Johnson just keep his mouth shut, and with how his tenure with the Texans ended, that might have ended his NFL career. Looking back on that trade, it’s a loss for both sides. Kenyon Green didn’t last long in Philadelphia either.
2. Christian Kirk Has Gotten To A Very Slow Start
Ever since Nathaniel “Tank” Dell’s injury and Stefon Diggs’ fallout, the Texans needed another receiver to pair with Nico Collins. The Texans decided to trade for Christian Kirk. Which makes no sense, as the Jaguars were planning to release him anyway. Kirk was expected to take the role, and so far, he has been a disappointment. A hamstring injury and a slow start have affected this offense. In two games, he only had 6 receptions for 45 yards, it’s not great and he needs to stand out the next few weeks.
3. Yeah, That Cam Robinson Contract Was A Bad Idea
Oh boy, this did not go well at all. Robinson was signed to be the Tunsil replacement on he o-line. Then came Week 1 of the season, as Robinson and since that performance, Robinson was on backup duty. The Texans, not 4 games in, decided to trade him to the Cleveland Browns, and the 1 year, $12 million contract looks worse.
4. Laken Tomlinson is Clearly Past His Prime
Let’s continue to bash the offensive line signings as Caserio decided to sign one one-year deal with Laken Tomlinson. Look, Tomlinson has been a notable journeyman player. He has been serviceable, but this year he has been awful and one of the worst guards in the NFL according to PFF. He has been unplayable for the Texans, and it’s a signing that has backfired.
5. Trading Laremy Tunsil Was A Mistake
What a brilliant idea that was, trading Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders. Yes, there were contract issues, but he’s been the key blindside blocker for the Houston Texans. He’s going to be worth every dollar as he is a trustworthy blocker, and letting him go has been a tremendous mistake. They have no feasible option at the offensive line, and it’s hurting the running game & CJ Stroud’s play. Stroud deserves better protection after they traded Tunsil.
The Only Good Offensive Signing For Texans
The only signing on offense that has panned out is OG Ed Ingram. An argument can be made for Nick Chubb, but he has shown signs of regression and its hard to evaluate with how bad of an o-line he has to work with. Time will tell on that one, but a majority of Nick Caserio’s moves offensively have backfired.
Rico Dowdle set to shine, 4 other things to know about Dolphins vs. Panthers

The Carolina Panthers have dug themselves an early-season hole once again. Dave Canales’s team could get back on track against the struggling Miami Dolphins.

Talk about a Jekyll and Hyde team? The Carolina Panthers dropped their first two games this season, which has been the case now four consecutive years. Dave Canales’ club then opened some eyes by pitching the team’s first shutout since 2020, a convincing 30-0 victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Charlotte.
With an opportunity to even their record this season last week at New England, Carolina took an early 6-0 over Mike Vrabel’s team thanks to a Bryce Young TD pass to tight end Tommy Tremble. Canales’s team then watched the Patriots score 42 consecutive points in what proved to be a 42-13 loss. Hence, the Panthers went from 30-point winners to 29-point losers in the span of eight days.
The team now has back-to-back home games, the first on Sunday against the 1-3 Miami Dolphins. Mike McDaniel’s club comes off its first win of the season, a 27-21 Monday night triumph over the New York Jets. The Dolphins did suffer a huge loss in that victory as star wideout Tyreek Hill was lost for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
So which version of the Panthers shows up on Sunday?
History
These two franchises have only met eight times during the regular season, and did not square off for the first time until the Panthers’ fourth season in the league in 1998. The Dolphins have prevailed in six of the eight encounters, the most recent a 42-21 win two years ago in South Florida. However, one of Carolina’s two wins in the series came in 2017, a convincing 45-21 triumph in the Dolphins’ last appearance in Charlotte.
What’s in a Number(s)?
Dolphins: Miami’s defense has been a big disappointment in many ways, and it took the Dolphins four games to finally come up with a takeaway—recovering three Jets’ fumble in last Monday’s win. The ‘Fins are one of three teams in the league, along with the Jets and 49ers, not to intercept a pass this season.

Panthers: Last Sunday’s ugly 42-13 loss at Foxborough not only dropped Carolina to 1-3, but the Panthers are now a dismal 6-20 in interconference action dating back to 2020—including 0-2 this season. Canales’s club has lost five consecutive games to AFC teams (4 by double-digits) by a combined score of 160-88.
Keep an Eye On…
Dolphins: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa comes off his first turnover-free game this season after serving up four interceptions and losing a fumble during the team’s 0-3 start. The six-year pro has all five of Miami’s turnovers this season. Can Carolina get some heat on Tagovailoa, sacked just eight times in four games?
Panthers: With Chuba Hubbard sidelined, Rico Dowdle gets an opportunity to show his 1,000-plus rushing season with the Cowboys a year ago was no fluke. The Dolphins’ run defense has been abysmal, allowing 158.0 yards per game. Miami has given up 120-plus yards on the ground in each of their first four games.