CJ Stroud Deserves Better: What Caley MUST Improve in 2026 + Plans for Woody Marks & Jaylin Noel?

On today’s episode of Locked On Texans, we’re asking the big question: What SHOULD expectations be for Nick Caley in Year 2 as Houston Texans offensive coordinator? Because talent alone isn’t enough anymore. For Caley and the entire offensive coaching staff, there has to be an assertive effort to become a more FUNCTIONAL football team in 2026. The numbers tell the story: 🚩 39 offensive line penalties 🚩 305 yards lost due to OL mistakes 🚩 18 false starts That can’t happen again. If the Texans want to maximize CJ Stroud, this offense has to clean up the details that stalled drives, killed momentum, and created unnecessary pressure on the quarterback. And speaking of helping your QB… Houston MUST get better at getting the play in and getting to the line of scrimmage faster. Too often in key moments last season, the Texans were breaking the huddle with under 15 seconds left on the play clock, leaving CJ Stroud little time to diagnose defenses, make pre-snap adjustments, audible, or simply control the game the way elite quarterbacks do. 🏈 How much responsibility falls on Nick Caley? 🏈 What are realistic areas of growth for Year 2? 🏈 What does being a “functional offense” actually look like? Plus, we dive into one of the most fascinating parts of Houston’s offense moving forward: How will Nick Caley use Woody Marks and Jaylin Noel? We discuss: 🔥 Why Woody Marks could become a sneaky weapon in the passing game 🔥 How Houston can maximize Marks as a receiving back 🔥 Jaylin Noel’s fit alongside Tank Dell 🔥 Can Caley mesh speed, explosiveness, and versatility without overcrowding roles? There are real questions about touches, spacing, and role definition in this offense — especially if Tank Dell returns healthy. AND… 📈 What is the Texans’ REALISTIC projected win total in 2026? With a tougher schedule, national skepticism, and offensive questions still lingering, where should expectations actually land? Is 10 wins the floor? 11 or 12 the expectation? Or is 13 wins a realistic ceiling for a Texans team entering contender status? The expectations in Houston are changing — and Year 2 under Nick Caley could determine just how high this team climbs.