Texans Guard Laken Tomlinson Believes Offensive Line Can Be Team’s Greatest Strength… read more…
HOUSTON — As the Houston Texans gear up for a highly anticipated 2025 NFL season, veteran guard Laken Tomlinson is already setting the tone with confidence and leadership. Speaking to reporters during the team’s offseason program, the 10-year NFL veteran made a bold yet optimistic claim: “I believe the offensive line could be the strength of this team.”
Tomlinson, who joined the Texans this offseason after a stint with the New York Jets, is bringing not just experience but also a renewed mindset to a team on the rise. His comment resonates deeply in a league where championship teams often build from the trenches out. With quarterback C.J. Stroud quickly blossoming into a franchise star and offensive weapons around him flourishing, Tomlinson sees the offensive line as the bedrock of sustained success.
“Everything starts up front,” Tomlinson said. “Whether it’s running the ball, protecting the quarterback, setting the tone physically—we’re responsible for giving this team its identity.”
A Veteran Presence in a Young Room
The Texans’ offensive line has been a work-in-progress over the past few seasons. Injuries, inconsistency, and roster turnover have plagued the unit. But with players like Laremy Tunsil returning at left tackle and rising young talent like Kenyon Green stepping into larger roles, Tomlinson’s arrival brings not only stability but also leadership.
“It’s about creating chemistry,” Tomlinson emphasized. “These guys are hungry. They’ve got talent. What we need is cohesion and accountability. I’ve been on teams where the O-line led the charge, and I see the potential here.”
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans agrees. “Laken’s experience is invaluable,” Ryans said. “He brings a calm, focused energy to the locker room. He’s seen it all—from playoff runs to rebuilds. He knows what it takes.”
Tomlinson, a former first-round pick out of Duke in 2015, played pivotal roles on both the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers before landing with the Jets in 2022. His time with San Francisco, in particular, helped shape his mindset about offensive line dominance. There, he was part of a unit that powered one of the NFL’s most physical rushing attacks and helped lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance.
Protecting the Franchise
The Texans’ offensive resurgence in 2023 and 2024 was largely powered by the rapid development of C.J. Stroud, who threw for over 4,000 yards in his rookie year and earned widespread praise for his poise and accuracy. But protecting a young quarterback remains priority one.
“C.J. is special,” Tomlinson said. “When you’ve got a guy like that, our job is to make sure he stays upright, clean, and confident in the pocket. He can make every throw—if we give him the time.”
Stroud himself has taken notice of Tomlinson’s presence. “He’s like a coach on the field,” Stroud noted during OTAs. “He’s always talking, communicating, picking up on details. He’s been huge for us already.”
Offensive line coach Chris Strausser is also enthusiastic about the possibilities. “It’s about building a wall,” Strausser said. “Laken brings knowledge, physicality, and leadership. With him, Laremy, Shaq [Mason], and these young guys stepping up, we’re building something special.”
Building Depth and Unity
One of the keys to Tomlinson’s optimism lies in the improved depth of the line. Injuries last season exposed a lack of reliable backups, but this year, the Texans have invested in both draft picks and veteran signings to shore up the unit.
Second-year lineman Juice Scruggs has made strides in understanding the pro game, and rookie Blake Fisher, drafted out of Notre Dame, has impressed early in camp with his footwork and coachability.
“It’s not just about the starters,” Tomlinson noted. “This league is brutal. You need guys who can step in and not miss a beat. I see that being developed here, and that’s what excites me.”
Tomlinson has already taken younger players under his wing, conducting film sessions and technique breakdowns outside of scheduled practice hours. He says it’s all about building trust and setting a standard.
“Great offensive lines aren’t just talented—they’re connected,” he said. “They finish blocks, they communicate on stunts, they help each other recover. That’s what we’re aiming for.”
A Shift in Identity
Under Ryans, a former linebacker himself, the Texans have leaned into a more physical brand of football. The team’s defense made waves last season, but now there’s hope the offense—and specifically the offensive line—can match that intensity.
“I love the mentality coach Ryans preaches,” Tomlinson said. “Physical, relentless, smart football. That starts with us. If we’re winning at the line of scrimmage, everything else opens up—play-action, screens, deep shots, all of it.”
The offensive line has also embraced more zone-blocking concepts under new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, a Kyle Shanahan disciple. Tomlinson, already familiar with the system from his time in San Francisco, believes it suits the Texans well.
“We’re going to be balanced,” Tomlinson said. “We’re going to move the ball efficiently, and we’re going to wear defenses down. That starts with five guys moving in sync. That’s where I see our potential.”
Setting Expectations
Despite the optimism, Tomlinson remains grounded in realism. The work isn’t done in July—it’s only beginning.
“No one wins anything in the offseason,” he said. “We’ve got to prove it every week. But if we keep stacking good days, I truly believe the offensive line can be the heartbeat of this team.”
As training camp approaches, all eyes in Houston will be on how well this revamped unit comes together. For Tomlinson, it’s not about personal accolades—it’s about building something bigger.
“I came here because I saw the direction this team was heading,” he said. “We’re not just trying to compete. We’re trying to win. And I belie
ve the offensive line is going to help lead that charge.”
Leave a Reply