Houston Texans guard Ed Ingram said his team will represent the AFC in the league's final game next season.
"We're going to have a great year this year," he told KPRC 2 Houston's Aaron Wilson. "We're going to win a game. Mark my words, we're going to that Super Bowl."
After being acquired by Houston in a March 2025 trade with the Minnesota Vikings, Ingram started 14 games at right guard last season. Houston then rewarded the 2022 second-round pick with a three-year, $37.5-million extension this March.
A main reason why Ingram believes the Texans can make a run this year is that his unit, the offensive line, will be better in 2026.
"We have gelled together quite well," Ingram said. "I feel like (Texans offensive line coach Cole Popovich) has got a good group of guys in a room together. We are all like-minded and all have one common goal, which is just showing each and everybody that the line here, that it's changed.
"We're doing a complete 180, and we're a different line. We're a different unit. And that the team can rely on us to run behind us, block for (quarterback C.J. Stroud), and we're going to have a great year."
Houston's offensive line ranked 10th in pressure rate allowed last season compared to 27th in 2024, according to Next Gen Stats. However, the team surrendered 32 quarterback pressures over two playoff games during the 2025 campaign and ultimately lost to the New England Patriots in the divisional round.
Stroud, in particular, struggled in the postseason, notching two touchdowns with seven turnovers. Since the 2023 campaign, he's been sacked 113 times, the fifth most among 36 qualifying signal-callers, according to TruMedia.
"I love C.J. as a person," Ingram said. "I love him as a player. He's a great competitor. He's a great leader. I'm expecting him to have a great year, and I know he will have a great year."
Houston overhauled its offensive line this offseason, adding former Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller and veteran tackle Braden Smith in free agency. The Texans also selected center Keylan Rutledge with the 26th pick in the draft.
