After Saints’ Win Over Panthers, NFL Legend Steve Smith Sr. Criticizes Bryce Young — Saints QB Tyler Shough Steps In to Defend the Young Quarterback, and Bryce Young’s Response Changes the Narrative

Houston, Texas — When news surfaced that Braxton Berrios would not suit up for the Houston Texans in Week 18 against the Indianapolis Colts, the NFL community didn’t wait long to connect dots — whether they actually belonged together or not. Within hours, social media speculation exploded. The timing raised eyebrows. Just one day earlier, viral footage circulated showing Tom Brady appearing cozy with Alix Earle, who had only recently broken up with Berrios. To some fans, the narrative wrote itself: personal drama spilling onto the field. But those assumptions, as it turns out, couldn’t be further from the truth. 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: 48-year-old Tom Brady was seen parting with 25-year-old model Alix Earle at a nightclub on New Year's.Earle recently broke up with Texans WR Braxton Berrios.Fans are already speculating that the two are dating. pic.twitter.com/cMMWpG2ntP — Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 1, 2026 Why the Absence Sparked Rumors Berrios’ late-week status change immediately fueled gossip. In a league where availability is scrutinized and personal lives often bleed into headlines, the coincidence was too tempting for internet sleuths to ignore. Posts questioning Berrios’ mental readiness spread rapidly. Some even suggested the receiver was “stepping away” after the highly publicized New Year’s party footage. Oh Boy: Additional footage has surfaced of Tom Brady and his new rumored girlfriend supermodel Alix Earle partying together at a nightclub in St. Barts.Retired from football, still dominating the league.Brady stays winning 🐐 https://t.co/mkq4Rv3Kgn pic.twitter.com/NLPD66Z70w — Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 1, 2026 Yet inside the Texans’ building, the explanation was far more straightforward — and far more strategic. The Game That No Longer Matters — At Least on Paper By the time Week 18 arrived, the stakes were already decided. Houston had clinched a playoff spot, securing its postseason future. Indianapolis had been officially eliminated from contention. The result of the game would not alter seeding in any meaningful way. For Houston, the priority shifted instantly from winning one more regular-season game to protecting the core of a playoff-bound roster. That meant rest. League sources confirmed that several veterans and key contributors were held out deliberately, with the coaching staff opting to avoid unnecessary injury risk in a game that carried no postseason consequences. Berrios’ absence fell squarely into that category. The Opportunity Hidden in the Decision While the move sparked speculation around Berrios, it quietly opened doors for others. For rookies and depth players, Week 18 suddenly became more than a formality. It became an audition. With veteran snaps off the table, young receivers were given extended reps — chances to prove they belong, to earn playoff roster spots, or even to carve out long-term roles within the organization. One Texans assistant coach described the game as “a controlled evaluation environment,” where development outweighed results. Inside the Texans’ Locker Room Sources close to the team dismissed any notion that personal matters influenced Berrios’ status. “This was never about distractions,” one team source said. “It was about being smart. The playoffs are the real season now.” Berrios, according to those same sources, remained fully engaged throughout the week, participating in meetings and supporting teammates from the sideline. A Reminder About Modern NFL Narratives The situation serves as a reminder of how quickly narratives can spiral in today’s NFL — especially when celebrity, timing, and social media collide. What some fans framed as fallout from off-field drama was, in reality, a routine and calculated football decision made by a team with bigger goals in mind. Houston didn’t need to prove anything in Week 18. Instead, it chose to protect its future — and give its next generation a stage. And sometimes, the quiet truth is far more revealing than the loud rumor.