2021 NFL Power Rankings: The Offseason Begins

The Super Bowl just came to an end, but the content mill never stops. Following Tom Brady’s seventh title, ESPN published a new set of power rankings, ranking each team 1-32 before the offseason kicks off and gets going. They, of course, have the Houston Texans as the worst team in the league.

32. Houston Texans

2020 record: 4-12

Offseason in three or fewer words: Deshaun Watson watch

The Texans knew this would be a pivotal offseason, as team chairman and CEO Cal McNair would be hiring a new general manager and head coach after firing Bill O’Brien during the season. What the team could not have predicted is the relationship between Watson and the team deteriorating to the point that he requested a trade less than five months after signing a four-year, $156 million contract extension with Houston. It is likely going to be a long offseason for the Texans and new general manager Nick Caserio as he decides what the next step is with the franchise’s star quarterback. Based on this ranking, NFL Nation expects Watson to be somewhere else in 2021. — Sarah Barshop

With the current talent level and Deshaun Watson playing here in limbo, it’s impossible to disagree with the ranking. The Texans have a dearth of talent. Bill O’Brien sold this team’s soul so they could go 10-6 and get their brains kicked out of their head after going up 24-0 on Kansas City in the 2019 NFL Divisional Round. What remains is Watson and nothing else. Worse still, Watson may end up somewhere else.

Ahhhhh, yes, that old familiar place, the absolute bottom. It feels so good to be back. It feels so good to be back home.