FRIDAY, 4:13pm: The Texans have officially signed Brown, the team announced today in a press release.
WEDNESDAY, 4:57pm: It’s a one-year deal for Brown, tweets Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
4:51pm: Former Giants safety Stevie Brown won’t be returning to New York, according to Kimberly Jones of NFL Network (Twitter link), who hears from Brown himself that the veteran free agent has agreed to terms with the Texans.
About a week and a half ago, we heard that Brown was narrowing down his options,, with the Giants, Cowboys, Falcons, and Raiders said to be among his suitors. A subsequent report suggested that the defensive back would probably re-sign with the Giants, but he paid a visit to Houston last week, and apparently liked what he saw and heard from the Texans.
Brown, 27, didn’t quite have the same impact for the Giants in 2014 that he did in 2012, when he racked up eight interceptions for a staggering 307 return yards. Still, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), he was a solid contributor in the secondary, playing well against the run despite being occasionally burned in coverage. With Antrel Rolle headed to Chicago and Quintin Demps still on the open market, it’s a little surprising the Giants didn’t re-sign Brown to help plug their hole at safety.
Like the Giants, the Texans may have a pair of new starting safeties in 2015. The team is reportedly shopping D.J. Swearinger after having watched Kendrick Lewis sign in Baltimore. Danieal Manning remains unsigned as well, but the Texans did bring in one outside free agent, snatching Rahim Moore from Denver.
Brown is the second NFC East free agent to make the move to Houston this week — former Eagles running back Chris Polk also signed with the the Texans.