Houston Texans rookie offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery continues to turn heads as he gears up to start the 2025 season protecting C.J. Stroud's blind side.
During Saturday's preseason win in Detroit, Texans star pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. was asked during a sideline interview if any of his rookie teammates had impressed him thus far. The Pro Bowler didn't hesitate.
"Tae, Aireontae, man, he has really like shocked me a lot," Anderson said of Ersery. "His mindset as a rookie. There's not a lot of guys like that. He wants to be great. He wants to get better every day. He stays after practice with me and Danielle (Hunter). He just has the grit, the grime in his game, and he has all the tools to be a great offensive lineman in this league."
Ersery, a second-round pick, opened camp as the backup right tackle behind Blake Fisher. It took a week before he leapfrogged into the starting gig. Then, left tackle Cam Robinson went down with an injury. Ersery flipped to the left tackle spot and hasn't missed a beat. He's projected to open the season as the starter, replacing Laremy Tunsil, who was traded to Washington this offseason.
Starting a rookie left tackle is always a gamble, but every word out of Houston regarding the rookie has been glowing. His physical, aggressive style aligns with what the Texans' new offensive coordinator, Nick Caley, wants from his blockers.
Stroud has been equally impressed by Ersery's growth.
"I think 'Tae' has one of the best mindsets I've seen from a rookie in my couple years in the league," Stroud said last week, via the Houston Chronicle. "He wants to be great. He asks the questions. Going against Will and Danielle every day makes him really good."
The rookie taking extra time working with those veteran pass rushers after practices will only help his transition.
In two preseason games, Ersery allowed a single pressure in 20 pass block reps, per Next Gen Stats. He sat out Saturday's final preseason game with the rest of the Texans' regulars.
Surely, when the real lights come on Sept. 7 in Los Angeles, there will be some rocky moments, but the Texans have faith in their rookie tackle.
"He loves football and he works," Caley said recently. "So, we just got to keep going at that trajectory and keep pushing him. He wants to be coached."
Ersery earning a starting gig off the bat is massive for the Texans' ability to quickly reshape their offensive line, which was a liability last season, into a suitable unit in 2025.
