Houston Texans Super Bowl Contenders After Stefon Diggs Trade?

Following their trade for Stefon Diggs, are the Houston Texans now officially Super Bowl Contenders alongside the Kansas City Chiefs.

Dec 18, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris (48) hits Kansas City / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

A lot can change in a year.

Ask the Houston Texans, who have ascended from rebuilding to Super Bowl contenders in 12 months. Star quarterback C.J. Stroud put the NFL on notice amid a breakout rookie campaign; his production should leap Wednesday’s stunning news that the Texans had traded draft compensation to the Buffalo Bills for star receiver Stefon Diggs.

It’s likely too early to make bold proclamations, but the Kansas City Chiefs at the very least now have a new threat to worry about in the AFC. 

Dec 18, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris (48) hits Kansas City / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

To say Houston has had a stellar offseason would be an understatement. Bringing in talent like Diggs and ex-Bengals running back Joe Mixon creates limitless potential for the upcoming campaign.

For that reason, the Texans are the winners of the offseason until further notice. 

Of course, Kansas City is still Kansas City. Seeing how the Chiefs respond to trading away L’Jarius Sneed to Tennessee will be intriguing. They still have a talented cornerback in the secondary in Trent McDuffie, but it will take more than the young defensive back to slow down Houston’s daunting passing attack. 

The safe assumption is Houston will be one of the three best teams in the AFC next season. But can they get over the Patrick Mahomes-sized hump that only Cincinnati has been able to hurdle? Buffalo has had legit Super Bowl contenders throughout the last few seasons, but Kansas City repeatedly slammed the door.

Baltimore has been great, particularly last season, but the Chiefs denied Lamar Jackson and Co. Talent alone isn’t enough to beat the Chiefs, but it sure does help. The Bengals showed that the blueprint is an aggressive but not reckless passing attack. Fortunately for Houston, Stroud excels in that area. 

Houston will travel to Kansas City during the upcoming season in what could be a dress rehearsal for a postseason clash.