3 Tough Roster Decisions Texans Will Face in 2021

Nobody really knows what Bill O'Brien's plan is for the Houston Texans. Trading superstar wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, one would think, should indicate that he's preparing to tear the roster down and start from scratch.

However, O'Brien's methodology has yet to be mastered by NFL analysts. For all we know, the 50-year-old general manager/ head coach will try to be competitive in 2020. However, we'll know for sure of his intentions with the Texans come 2021.

Here are a few grueling roster decisions that Houston will be forced to tackle after this upcoming season.

3. Will Fuller

Texans speedy WR Will Fuller / Tim Warner/Getty Images

Fuller's inability to stay healthy is infuriating and that could see the Texans let him walk in free agency next offseason. When Fuller's on the field, Houston tends to win, but he's yet to play a full 16-game season in his four years in the NFL. Giving the former No. 21 overall pick security on a decently-expensive contract just sounds risky for the Texans. O'Brien has a lot to sort out regarding the 25-year-old speedster in the next 10 months.

2. Laremy Tunsil

Texans LT Laremy Tunsil blocking against the Colts / Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Tunsil will become a free agent after the 2020 season, and the Texans will have a tough decision regarding his future with the franchise. Houston has the cap space to make the Pro Bowler one of the richest left tackles in the NFL, and doing so would make sense considering that the Texans unloaded two first-round picks for Tunsil's services in a trade with the Dolphins. However, if O'Brien embraces a rebuild, he may consider all of his options for the 25-year-old star.

1. Extend or Trade Deshaun Watson?

Texans QB Deshaun Watson / Bob Levey/Getty Images

The Texans have the luxury of being able to exercise a fifth-round option on Watson's rookie contract, but who knows how strained their relationship will be come the end of the 2020 season? By then, Watson's social media game could be so cryptic that O'Brien will have no choice but to trade him next offseason. The 24-year-old superstar will demand a mega-contract, and our guess is that he has no intention of signing it with Houston. That could force the Texans to trade the stud QB they used the No. 12 pick on just three years ago.