HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: A Houston Texans helmet sits on the bench at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, Texas. The Tennessee Titans defeated the Houston Texans 17-10. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON - The NFL released the 2026 regular season schedule Thursday evening, but for General Manager Nick Caserio and Head Coach DeMeco Ryans, the heavy lifting of the offseason is largely complete.
After a flurry of contract extensions and a draft focused on physical line play, the Texans’ 53-man roster is beginning to take its final shape.
2026-2027 Season Schedule
- Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13 vs. Buffalo Bills
- Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
- Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27 @ Indianapolis Colts
- Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 4 vs Dallas Cowboys
- Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11 @ Tennessee Titans
- Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18 @ Jacksonville Jaguars (London game)
- Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25 vs New York Giants
- Week 8: BYE
- Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 8 @ Los Angeles Chargers
- Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 15 @ Cleveland Browns
- Week 11: Thursday, Nov. 19 vs. Indianapolis Colts (Amazon Prime)
- Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29 vs. Baltimore Ravens
- Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6 @ Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday Night Football)
- Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13 @ Washington Commanders
- Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Week 16: Thursday, Dec. 24 @ Philadelphia Eagles (Amazon Prime)
- Week 17: Monday, Jan. 4 @ Green Bay Packers (ESPN)
- Week 18: Sunday, Jan. 10 vs Tennessee Titans
Schedule highlights
With the schedule now public, fans can begin planning for a season that features a mix of traditional rivalries and international flare.
Week 4: Dallas Cowboys come to Houston
The Dallas Cowboys last played the Houston Texans in Houston on October 7, 2018, at NRG Stadium. The Texans won that matchup with a final score of 19-16 in overtime.
Week 6: AFC South travels to London
Securing the Core: Major Extensions
By the numbers:
Houston’s front office made one thing clear this spring: they are rewarding their own. Several pillars of the 2025 division-winning squad signed massive extensions to stay in H-Town.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 20: Will Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans reacts against after the game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium on November 20, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Will Anderson Jr.:
The defensive anchor signed a blockbuster three-year, $150 million extension. With $134 million guaranteed, the deal keeps the reigning pass-rush star in Houston through the prime of his career.
Azeez al-Shaair of the Houston Texans shakes hands with Aaron Rodgers of the Steelers after the wild-card playoff game at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Azeez Al-Shaair:
The Pro Bowl linebacker and defensive leader secured a new three-year deal after a standout season where he led the team in tackles and handled defensive play-calling duties.
Danielle Hunter & Dalton Schultz: Both veterans received extensions (one year for Hunter and Schultz) to maintain continuity for C.J. Stroud and the defensive front.
New Faces in the Trenches
File photo. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
While the stars were staying put, the Texans used free agency and the draft to get bigger and more physical.
On offense:
The Texans signaled a major shift in philosophy toward a downhill running game. The team acquired veteran running back David Montgomery via a trade and bolstered the offensive line by signing veterans Wyatt Teller and Braden Smith. They followed that up in the draft by selecting Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge in the first round.
On defense:
The draft brought high-impact youth to the interior of the line. Second-round pick Kayden McDonald, a standout from Ohio State, is expected to provide immediate rotation help at defensive tackle. The team also added safety Reed Blankenship in free agency to bring more range to the secondary.
The Source: The information in this article comes from the NFL.