Offseason Report Card: Texans Extend Schultz, Earn High Marks?

ESPN has graded the biggest moves of the NFL offseason, of which Schultz is included.

His three-year extension is worth $36 million and $23.5 million guaranteed and earned a B+ grade.

“Keeping a strong collection of skill players around quarterback C.J. Stroud is a great way to build a winning team, and the Texans prioritized his favorite middle-of-the-field target,” Matt Miller said. “Schultz, who will be 28 in July, is fresh off a resurgent season in which he caught 59 passes for 635 yards and five touchdowns during his first season in Houston.”

The Texans made Schultz the 11th-highest-paid tight end in the league by average annual value – 12th by total money. Rather than setting the market or simply overpaying, Houston spent in line with Schultz’s production. He ranked between 10th and 12 among tight ends in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns this past season.

“For every free agent signing, I look at the players and draft capital required to replace the player if he walked,” Miller continued. “The Texans would have to use pick No. 24 overall in Round 1 to replace Schultz's value as a receiver and in-line target. Now the front office is free to use that pick shoring up the defensive line or secondary while keeping its No. 2 receiver locked up.”

As much as a first-round rookie or big-name receiver would be exciting, keeping Stroud’s preferred targets in town is a smart decision. Receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell were excellent in 2023, and Schultz filled his role well as a dependable target.

They have more to gain from upgrading significantly from a weakness than a smaller improvement in an already strong passing attack. Expecting a third receiver and a new running back makes sense, and could very well be acquired with a lesser free-agent deal or a mid-round draft pick.