Both franchises hold one vitally important common factor in today’s NFL – young quarterbacks’ mid-way through their rookie contracts.
Both also enjoyed breakout years last season.
Drafted 2nd overall, C.J Stroud looked anything but a rookie – taking total command of this Texans team in no time.
Not just that, he is perhaps the NFL’s next potential superstar.
Breaking multiple records – at 22 years, 3 months and 10 days, Stroud is now the youngest starting quarterback to have won a playoff game.
He has also broken the record for the most passing attempts without an interception to start a career; most games with at least 350 passing yards by a rookie; most passing yards in a single game by a rookie; and most passing touchdowns in a single game by a rookie – when he went for 470 yards and five touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in November.
Along with acquiring first-year head coach, DeMeco Ryans, the Texans well and truly won last years’ sweepstakes.
What was supposed to be a rebuild has quickly transitioned itself into a viable tilt at Super Bowl glory.
Pushed by the promise of Stroud, the Texans have embarked on an offseason shopping spree of epic proportions.
Headlined by the acquisition of Stefon Diggs, Houston also agreed to massive deals with defensive-end, Danielle Hunter and running-back, Joe Mixon.
Joined on the offensive side by Nico Collins, Tank Dell and a returning Dalton Schultz – Stroud has been set up perfectly for success.
Hunter also adds to a stout defense whose winning culture has been established by a reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year in Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr., who has become a ball hawk at cornerback.
In effect, the Texans have now placed their chips firmly at the centre of the table.
Similarly, the Packers look like the NFC’s next up and coming.
Serving as backup to Aaron Rodgers through his first three years in Green Bay, Jordan Love enjoyed a breakout season.
In his first year as starter, he threw for over 4,000 yards and 32 touchdowns, before then leading the Packers to a playoff victory away at the Dallas Cowboys.
A non-factor during last off-season’s free agency due to a $40 million dead cap hit from Rodgers’ contract, Green Bay were forced to get young in a hurry.
In retrospect, this may have been a blessing in disguise.
Last year’s development has garnered strong results. Love has already been noted – but the wide-receiver trio of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson also impressed.
Yet, it has been more of a struggle on the defensive side. Though only conceding just over twenty points per game, the Packers ranked in the bottom half of all teams when it came to yards allowed last year – accounting for over three-hundred and thirty-five on average.
However, general manager Brian Gutekunst has already addressed their biggest weakness in the secondary with the signing of Xavier McKinney on a four-year $67 million deal.
The team has also fired Joe Berry and have replaced him with Jeff Hafley, who plans to direct a more aggressive defense with the use of press and increased man coverage.
It’s hard to believe, but the team also managed to get even younger on offense.
While A.J. Dillon has re-signed, his partner at running-back in Aaron Jones was let go. Along with left-tackle, David Bakhtiari, the Packers had managed to free $32 million in cap room to begin a free agency fling.
Jones has now been replaced by Josh Jacobs – bringing in a 26-year old rusher for one who is about to turn 30.
As Green Bay will be due to pay Love again soon, they are as much moves for the here and now as they are for what’s yet to come.
Planning for this eventuality, the Packers have maintained their financial flexibility. $16.6 million remains against the cap entering 2024, while the team currently has just under $54 million in cap space available for 2025.
Instead of exercising a fifth-year option in Love’s rookie contract – Green Bay agreed to a one-year extension last season.
However, as of May 3 2024, the quarterback will be eligible to sign another extension – one which is much more lucrative.
Love will be paid at the elite level. Just have much is still unknown, but given the quarterback market of recent times, it could cost as much as $50 million a year.
Though time is not of the essence, the Packers’ front office has already initiated tepid discussions, and GM, Gutekunst, has stated his intentions to get a deal over the line “the sooner the better.”
Nevertheless, he has also reiterated that though the process has started “it’s not something that’s going to go quickly.”
It’s a tricky situation for Green Bay. While they possess a squad who can go a long way this year, attention should not be turned away from potential future success.
You imagine they will improve further this coming season. But, with that future in mind, perhaps not all the way to Super Bowl contention.
Houston, on the other hand, are squarely in that mix.
Stroud has shown signs of Mahomes-type ability.
Only on the second-year of his rookie contract – you would think the Texans have at least one, if not two years, before they have to pay their franchise QB serious numbers.
It’s the main reason why their front office can maintain a dual focus – going all out in the present, all while planning for success in the future.
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