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Brian Cushing helped reveal the Houston Texans' 2026 regular-season schedule.

The Houston Texans turned to one of the franchise’s icons–former linebacker Brian Cushing–to help present their full 2026 regular season schedule. Cushing tapped into his inner actor and drew attention from his former teammate, Clay Matthews.

Matthews is a fellow ex-USC Trojan and NFL linebacker. He is also a Super Bowl champion with various personal accolades.

Matthews was a fan during the release video.

Clay Matthews Reacts to Brian Cushing, Texans Schedule Release

The Texans selected Cushing 15th overall in the 2009 draft, and the linebacker earned Defensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl honors.

Before that, Cushing and Matthews spent four seasons together on the Trojans. After seeing the video of an increasingly “bloodied” Cushing–an homage to his playing days with the Texans–Matthews chimed in.

This is amazing!! [laughing face emojis],” Matthews posted on X on May 14, tagging Cushing.

“Crashing out over the schedule [cursing face emoji],” the Texans captioned the video posted on X on May 14.

The video began innocuously, with Cushing fully-suited and preparing to get into character for his read. By the end, he had “bashed” his helmet against his face multiple times, leaving him bruised in addition to bleeding.

Cushing, who retired following the 2017 season after spending his entire career with the Texans, also ripped his suit and donned shoulder pads.

He also wore his tie on his head.

Matthews was the 29th overall pick in 2009 by the Green Bay Packers and spent his final season in 2019 with the Los Angeles Rams. Matthews was a six-time Pro Bowler and one-time First Team All-Pro in addition to his championship.

Cushing finished his career as the Texans’ third all-time leading tackler, behind former defensive back Kareem Jackson and current head coach DeMeco Ryans.

Texans Pique Uniform Interest With Teaser

The Texans teased their release, sharing a short video of their alternate H-Town helmet suddenly bloodied before being picked up. They captioned the post on May 14, “You’ve been warned…”

They also sent a set of bloodied shoulder pads to the crew on “The Pat McAfee Show.”

Fans in the comments debated about the meaning of the helmet video. And while some correctly associated it with Cushing, others took it as a sign of uniform changes.

The Texans and the rest of the AFC South, along with the NFC North, will get new uniforms as part of the NFL’s Rivalries series. No details have emerged about what the new uniforms will look like, but Texans owner Cal and Hannah McNair expressed excitement over the duds.

Cal McNair said, “They’re gonna be awesome.”

“The schedule will come out probably in a week or so,” McNair told reporters on May 6. “We’ll be able to share more details when that comes out.”

Hannah McNair insisted, “You’ll like them,” adding that she “can’t talk about it. I’ll reveal it. I know Doug [Vosik]’s around here somewhere. He’ll get upset. But I’m excited about it. I’m excited for everyone to see them.”

With the schedule out, a uniform reveal–perhaps again featuring Cushing–could be next.