Following a poor 2022 season that saw them finish 3-13-1 under Head coach Lovie Smith the Texans with a bottom-ten offense and team ranking set out with a clear objective. Rebuild the team and starting with the leader of the new-look Texans offense the Texans used the 2nd OVR pick in the 2023 draft, and selected Ohio State standout quarterback C.J Stroud.
Paring him in round three with Wide Receiver Tank Dell along with a breakout season from third-year receiver Nico Collins. The Texans as a whole improved to 10-7 earning themselves a playoff berth and finishing in the top ten in offensive team ranking. A key component to this offensive resurgence was the acquisition of Free Agent Tight end Dalton Schultz who signed a one-year 6.5 million dollar deal in the 2023 free agency window. The former cowboy emerged as a key factor in developing 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year winner C.J Stroud.
Schultz Posts Impressive Year for Texans
The 27-year-old Schultz rebounded after a down 2022 season and had one of the best years of his seven-year NFL career finishing with over 635 yards and 5 touchdowns along with appearing in over 15 games in the past season. The Texans responded to this growth by signing Schultz to a Three-year 36 million dollar contract with over 24 million dollars in guaranteed money.
This deal negotiated by Schultz’s agent Steve Caric of Wassermen Football locks down The veteran tight end for a long-term deal into the 2026 season and further helps provide break-out star QB Stroud with a familiar and comfortable weapon as he takes the next steps in his NFL career. Along with allowing the Texans to focus on other key positions of need in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft and Free agency
Schultz Earns Heavy Praise From Stroud
Stroud earlier this year remarked on the off-field impacts Shultz has had on his development as a rookie during an interview with Sports Illustrated by saying the following
“He’s probably the person to keep it really honest,” “Like, this is the expectations that you’ll have, bro.’ And I’m like, ‘Okay.’ So, I appreciate him for doing that, but he’s been a very reliable target.”
Along with this off-field leadership, stroud remarked on his abilities on the field saying the following
“He’s been a very reliable target,” . “He’s somebody who knows how to get open. He knows coverage. He knows route depth and how to manipulate somebody and how to get into a certain zone at the right time. He’s a smart player.”
His veteran presence and knowledge certainly helped propel an offense full of second and first-year players into elite status including Stroud, Tank Dell, and Nico Collins along with highly regarded Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowitz, and Finalist for Coach of the Year Demeco Ryan
Shultz finishes Among Elite Tight Ends
Schultz finished the 2023 season with a PFF grade of 73.8 ranking him 12th among all Tight ends and finishing top 10 in missed tackles with 13 and gains of 15 plus yards with 16. As the Texans position themselves as contenders in the Stoud era Dalton Schultz will continue to play a large role.