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Texans To Re-Sign DB Tavierre Thomas

March 15th, 2023 at 8:40pm CST by Ben Levine

Tavierre Thomas is back with the Texans. Houston has re-signed the defensive back, according to Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston (via Twitter).

Thomas got a one-year deal worth $3MM, per Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter). The deal includes a fully guaranteed $1.5MM base salary, a $500K signing bonus, a $250K per-game roster bonus, and $750K in playing time incentives.

The defensive back spent three years with the Browns before joining the Texans in 2021. He’s turned into a spot starter for the Texans, starting 14 of his 27 appearances. This past season, he started six of his 10 appearances, collecting 41 tackles and a pair of forced fumbles.

“Glad to be back, man,” Thomas said in a message to Wilson. “Let’s make it a great one!”

In 2023, Thomas will likely continue serving as a nickel back and contributing on special teams.

Restructure Details: Cousins, Bills, Cowboys, Saints, Warner, Jets, Texans

March 15th, 2023 at 4:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Facing a Kirk Cousins cap crunch last year, the Vikings worked out a third contract with their starting quarterback. They did not take that path this year. Minnesota instead agreed to a restructure, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). The reworking frees up $16MM in cap space for the Vikings, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert tweets. The Vikes look to have tacked on two more void years to Cousins’ deal. While the void years — for cap-reducing purposes — run through 2027, Cousins’ contract expires after the 2023 season. No extension is imminent.

The 34-year-old passer has enjoyed leverage throughout his Vikings relationship — via his free agency in 2018, ahead of his 2020 contract year on that fully guaranteed deal, and in 2022 as his second Vikes pact was set to produce a historic cap hit — but Minnesota’s new regime may now be looking toward moving on after the season. This will be a situation to monitor moving forward; Cousins has not played in a contract year since his 2017 Washington finale.

Here is the latest on teams’ restructures:

  • The Bills moved close to the 2023 league year in a cap hole, but they restructured the deals of their two highest-profile players to create considerable space. Buffalo reworked Josh Allen and Von Miller‘s contracts to create approximately $32MM in space, ESPN’s Field Yates tweets. The Bills have moved their way up past $8MM in cap room.
  • Per usual, the Saints have been hard at work on restructures. They adjusted the deals of Cameron Jordan, Alvin Kamara and Marshon Lattimore to create cap space, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Katherine Terrell (all Twitter links). The Jordan move created more than $10MM in cap space for New Orleans, which was back to being north of $20MM over the cap following its Derek Carr signing. As the league year begins, New Orleans made it under the cap by just more than $300K.
  • In addition to restructuring Tyron Smith‘s deal to ensure the All-Decade tackle plays a 13th season with the team, the Cowboys adjusted the contracts of DeMarcus Lawrence and Michael Gallup, Todd Archer of ESPN.com notes (Twitter links). Between them, the Lawrence and Gallup restructures freed up around $16MM for Dallas, which had already created more than $30MM in space by redoing Dak Prescott and Zack Martin‘s deals last week.
  • The 49ers restructured Fred Warner‘s extension, according to Yates (on Twitter). The move created nearly $9MM in cap space for San Francisco, which gave Javon Hargrave a four-year, $84MM deal to start the legal tampering period. A void year now exists in Warner’s contract, which runs through 2026 (with the void year coming in 2027). Warner’s cap number drops to $9MM but spikes past $24MM in 2024, which will probably prompt more maneuvering from the 49ers. They currently hold just more than $12MM in cap space.
  • Circling back to the Vikings, Jordan Hicks agreed to a restructure that will keep him in Minnesota this season, Insidethebirds.com’s Adam Caplan tweets. Hicks signed a two-year, $10MM deal with the Vikings last year.
  • Amid their Aaron Rodgers pursuit, the Jets created $4.8MM in cap space by restructuring John Franklin-Myers‘ contract, Yates tweets. Two void years are attached to the defensive lineman’s pact, which runs through 2025.
  • Texans safety Eric Murray agreed to a restructured deal as well, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes. Attached to a two-year, $10MM deal he signed in 2022, Murray remains on a Texans team that has seen its roster become crowded at safety. The team has added Jimmie Ward and re-signed M.J. Stewart this week. Murray played 17 games for the Texans last season but did not start any. This sounds like a pay-cut agreement, with Wilson adding Murray can make up to $4MM this season.

Texans To Release DE Mario Addison

March 15th, 2023 at 4:53pm CST by Adam La Rose

With the new league officially underway, a flurry of roster moves continue to take place. The Texans remain busy, but their actions will result in veteran defensive end Mario Addison being released, as noted by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2.

The 30-year-old joined the Texans last offseason, as one of a pair of veteran pass rushers who headed to Houston ahead of a rebuilding year. That two-year, $7.7MM deal allowed him to continue his career with a sixth different franchise, following a two-year stint with the Bills.

Addison’s 12 sacks in Buffalo proved that he could still be a productive option on the edge, though he wasn’t able to replicate that success in 2022. Logging a snap share of 45% – his lowest mark since 2015 – he registered a single sack and only a pair of QB hits this season. He was limited to 12 games due to a groin injury, and was used in much more of a rotational capacity than fellow free agent signing Jerry Hughes.

The former UDFA was set to count for $4.4MM on the cap in 2023, and roughly one third of his base salary was guaranteed. This move will give Houston $2.3MM in cap savings, and generate a dead money charge of $2.1MM. Designating him as a post-June 1 release would make more sense financially, though a new contract allowing him to remain in Houston is also possible.

Wilson notes that the Texans are still open to the idea of re-signing Addison on a more modest deal. The team still has Hughes (who notched nine sacks in 2022) on the books for next season, but they are set to lose a key young member of their pass rushing corps with Obo Okoronkwo having agreed to terms on a deal with the Browns. Addison could help fill that void to a degree if he wises to come back, or he could look elsewhere on what would surely be another short-term deal in the waning stages of his career.

Texans Re-Sign DB M.J. Stewart

March 15th, 2023 at 4:49pm CST by Ben Levine

The Texans are bringing back a key special teamer. The team announced that they’ve re-signed defensive back M.J. Stewart. The 27-year-old is inking a two-year, $7.5MM deal, per Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston.com.

Stewart, a former second-round pick, had two-year stints with the Buccaneers and Browns before catching on with the Texans last offseason. He ended up getting into all 17 games for his new squad, compiling 41 tackles. Stewart also got into 84 percent of Houston’s special teams snaps.

It’s uncertain where Stewart will fit in the secondary heading into 2023. The Texans added Jimmie Ward on a two-year deal, and they’re also still rostering Jalen Pitre and Eric Murray. Either way, the Texans can expect Stewart to contribute on all ST plays.

Speaking of, Murray reworked his contract yesterday, per Wilson. The move provided the Texans with an extra $732K in cap space. The defensive back inked a two-year, $10MM contract with Houston last offseason.

Raiders, Texans Discussed No. 1 Pick With Bears

March 15th, 2023 at 4:13pm CST by Ben Levine

Unsurprisingly, the Bears spoke with multiple teams about the No. 1 pick before trading the selection to the Panthers. Jeff Howe of The Athletic tweets that the Raiders called the Bears about the first-overall pick, while Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports (via Twitter) that the Texans also held discussions with the Bears.

The Texans are armed with a pair of first-round picks (No. 2 and No. 12), meaning the organization had more than enough ammo to pull off a trade. Presumably, the front office didn’t want to overpay to move up just one spot, and the Texans will now have to hope that the Panthers don’t land on their preferred quarterback. We previously heard that the Texans were very high on Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, and Houston may end up getting their way if Carolina opts for Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud.

Howe clarifies that the Raiders never got into serious negotiations with the Bears about the first-overall pick. However, the Raiders’ interest reinforces how the organization “explored every avenue” at the QB position (as Howe points out). Earlier today, Howe tweeted that the Raiders organization even reached out to the Packers about quarterback Aaron Rodgers as they evaluated their post-Derek Carr options. Ultimately, the Raiders landed on Jimmy Garoppolo.

The Panthers ultimately pulled off the trade for the first-overall pick, sending Chicago a pair of first-round picks, a pair of second-round picks, and wide receiver D.J. Moore.

Texans, DT Sheldon Rankins Agree To Deal

March 15th, 2023 at 2:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

Multiple AFC teams pursued Sheldon Rankins, and the former first-round pick will end up relocating again. The Texans are signing Rankins to a one-year deal, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.

The Jets and Texans were connected to pursuits here, and Garafolo adds Rankins will collect $10.5MM in 2023. The defensive tackle spent the past two seasons in New York. He will transition from Robert Saleh‘s scheme to DeMeco Ryans‘ similar setup. Ryans succeeded Saleh as San Francisco’s DC, which should make Rankins’ transition fairly smooth.

A former Saints first-round pick, Rankins has played in 4-3 schemes throughout his career. He spent part of his New Orleans run as a starter and complemented Quinnen Williams in New York, making 15 starts for the Jets in 2022. The inside pass rusher graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 22 overall interior D-lineman last season; the 6-foot-2 pass rusher totaled 14 QB hits between the 2021 and ’22 campaigns.

Rankins has not approached his eight-sack 2018, but the 28-year-old defender has been a useful presence for two teams. He will try his hand in Houston in hopes of setting up another market next year. Of course, the Texans will have exclusive negotiating rights with Rankins until March 2024, giving them the chance to evaluate him. Houston did this with Maliek Collins and ended up extending the veteran D-tackle.

Houston has agreed to terms with both Rankins and ex-Ryans charge Hassan Ridgeway. The team still has Collins under contract as well. Collins has experience as a 4-3 tackle as well, having played for the Cowboys and Raiders before joining the Texans in GM Nick Caserio‘s first year.

The Jets have now lost two D-tackle contributors Wednesday, also seeing Nathan Shepherd leave to join the Saints. The team has Williams under contract through 2023, and extension talks will ramp up this offseason. Two-city Saleh charge Solomon Thomas is also a free agent once again. Gang Green, which is likely to employ Aaron Rodgers and encounter some higher-profile TV windows next season, will need more help alongside Williams as a result of today’s developments.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/14/23

March 14th, 2023 at 9:51pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Las Vegas Raiders

New England Patriots

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Texans To Sign WR Noah Brown

March 14th, 2023 at 11:02am CST by Sam Robinson

The Texans signed Robert Woods just before the legal tampering period began, and they are continuing to add to their receiver room. Noah Brown is heading to Houston, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 tweets.

This will be an intrastate relocation for the seventh-year veteran, who has spent his entire career with the Cowboys. Brown will leave Dallas for a one-year contract in Houston. The 225-pound wideout is coming off a career year and will be part of an evolving Texans wide receiver puzzle, one that is unlikely to include enduring trade candidate Brandin Cooks.

As the Cowboys waited on Michael Gallup and James Washington to return from injuries, and attempted to develop third-round pick Jalen Tolbert, Brown served as their top CeeDee Lamb complement for an extended stretch. Brown finished the season with 43 catches for 555 yards and three touchdowns. That number was second-best, by a wide margin, for Cowboys wide receivers last season. Brown had previously never topped the 200-yard mark in a season, and the Texans will pay a bit to see if Brown can replicate his performance.

Serving as one of the Cowboys’ top special-teamers over the past six seasons, Brown saw his responsibilities diminish here as his receiving role expanded. Brown, 26, saw action on at least 47% of the Cowboys’ special teams plays from 2018-21. His three receiving TDs last season were the first of his career.

This will likely be a low- to mid-level accord with the Texans, who are still sorting out their receiver situation. Cooks has held a standing trade request since before last year’s trade deadline, though that went on hold for a few months with trades not part of the late-season equation, and the Texans are planning to accommodate him. Cooks and DeAndre Hopkins remain the top wideout trade chips, though it is worth monitoring the Broncos’ receiver situation.

The Texans now have Woods, Brown and Nico Collins in place as experienced receivers. They also are readying for 2022 second-round pick John Metchie‘s debut. The Alabama product is expected to play for the Texans this season, after seeing his would-be rookie year interrupted by a leukemia diagnosis.

Texans To Acquire G Shaq Mason From Buccaneers

March 14th, 2023 at 8:52am CST by Adam La Rose

It was learned yesterday that the Buccaneers would be moving on from veteran guard Shaq Mason in the immediate future, via either a trade or release. The former route will be taken; Tampa is trading Mason to the Texans, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link).

Pelissero’s colleague Ian Rapoport tweets that the deal will see Houston and Tampa Bay swap sixth- and seventh-round picks. By moving on from Mason, the Buccaneers will see $5.3MM in cap savings while incurring a dead money charge of $4.3MM. The Texans, meanwhile, will acquire a consistent performer at right guard who has one year remaining on his current contract.

Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports (via Twitter) that Mason is likely to be extended upon his arrival with the Texans. That would come as little surprise, as the 29-year-old is set to carry a cap hit of just over $9.5MM in 2023. A new contract aimed at lowering that figure would help the team’s cap situation and secure his future there over the course of multiple years.

Mason logged 98 starts during his seven-year stint with the Patriots to begin his career. He was traded to Tampa Bay last offseason, and started every game as part of the Buccaneers’ revamped interior o-line. His 1,200 snaps were a welcomed sight considering the multitude of injuries the team had to deal with over the course of the season. Mason was charged with 25 pressures allowed by PFF, however, which resulted in an overall grade of 68.9, the second-lowest of his career.

In addition to agreeing to acquire Mason, the Texans are moving on from A.J. Cann, Wilson reports. A longtime Jaguars starter, Cann signed with the Texans last season and immediately became a full-time starter for the team. Cann started 16 games with Houston and has been an NFL first-stringer throughout his eight-year career, lining up at guard and center. The veteran guard joins center Justin Britt as O-line starters who will not be in the Texans’ 2023 equation. The team released Britt, its starting center for the past two seasons, ahead of free agency. Britt is expected to retire.

Houston used a first-round pick on Kenyon Green last April, and he served as their left guard. Presuming Mason is extended on a new multi-year deal, that pair will serve as the Texans’ guard tandem for at least the intermediate future. With center Scott Quessenberry having just been re-signed, the interior of Houston’s offensive line is firmly in place.

Texans Expected To Sign DB Jimmie Ward

March 13th, 2023 at 8:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jimmie Ward will join Hassan Ridgeway in following DeMeco Ryans to Houston. The new Texans HC will have a familiar secondary piece on defense, with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reporting Ward intends to sign (Twitter link).

A 49er throughout his nine-year career, Ward has toggled between safety and nickelback. The 49ers brought back Tashaun Gipson on Sunday, to stay at Ward’s preferred safety position, and the longest-tenured 49er defender is now headed elsewhere.

While Ward frequently moved around on San Francisco’s defense, he provided a considerable boost for some of the NFL’s best units of recent years. Ward was in place at safety for the 49er defense that powered the team to Super Bowl LIV, leading to a 2020 re-signing, and he was on the field for San Francisco’s runs to the NFC championship game over the past two seasons. Ward played 105 regular-season games with the 49ers, starting 79.

Ryans was with the 49ers for six of Ward’s nine seasons, working his way up from the quality control level to DC. He oversaw the decision to move Ward back to the nickel, and while the former first-round pick is believed to have viewed such a move as a demotion, there are obviously no hard feelings. Ryans will now add a versatile player to his defense in Houston.

Ward having experience as a safety and a cornerback in Ryans’ scheme should benefit young Texans talents Jalen Pitre and Derek Stingley. The Texans have safety Jonathan Owens unsigned, potentially leaving a safety spot open for Ward opposite Pitre. With Ward going into his age-31 season, safety would seemingly make more sense at this point in his career. But Ryans was one of the San Francisco DCs to feel comfortable placing the veteran in the slot. If nothing else, Ryans has options here as he constructs his first Texans defense.

Pro Football Focus viewed Ward as having plenty of gas left in the tank, grading him as a top-15 DB this past season. Ward started the season late because of a summer hamstring injury and then suffered a hand malady shortly after returning. But he returned to play in 15 games (three in the postseason) to help the 49ers rank No. 1 in points allowed, yards allowed and defensive DVOA.

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