How Texans’ Jalen Pitre has perfected the art of the punishing tackle: ‘Biggest thing is want-to’

HOUSTON – Jalen Pitre uncoiled his body with incredible power, bringing a ton of force and torque into his aiming point as he delivered a crushing, clean tackle with his right shoulder and forearm.

The Texans’ nickel struck Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice so hard Sunday night that the collision sent him flailing to the ground and flipping through the air with a devastating hit that separated him from the football.

The hit stick tackle didn’t draw a flag, or a fine. It was another textbook punishing tackle from Pitre, a Stafford graduate who’s one of the hardest hitters in the game regardless of position. Pitre is a key chess piece in the Texans’ top-ranked defense. This has arguably been his best all-around season for tackling, and pass coverage.

Where did it all start for Pitre? The former second-round draft pick and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year from Baylor was taught in the backyard with his family as his father, Rick Pitre, instilled toughness in his son.

“My pops, since I was a young-in, I was always tackling my older brother,” Pitre told KPRC 2. “That definitely prepared me for these times. Obviously, along the way, there’s been a lot of other moments as well.”

Yes, earlier this season, Pitre delivered such a powerful shot on Baltimore Ravens imposing running back Derrick Henry that the 6-foot-3, 245-pounder was lifted off his feet at the line of scrimmage. Henry called Pitre one of the hardest hitters in the NFL.

Last season, Pitre launched Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet.

The tackle initially drew a penalty flag for unnecessary roughness that was quickly picked up as it was clearly not an illegal hit as Pitre didn’t make contact with his helmet and stuck the much larger Kmet in his shoulder pads.

Kmet was shaken up on the play and later acknowledged it was the hardest hit he’s ever absorbed.

“He’s just an explosive player, explosive athlete,” Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke said. “Obviously, sort of the mindset that he plays with contributes to some of that as well, an all-out, not afraid of contact, not afraid of some noise and of the smoke. So, combine all that, he turns into making some of those plays.”

Later on in the season, Pitre popped the football out of the hands of Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Tyler Guyton with the forced fumble returned for a touchdown by teammate Derek Barnett.

“I think the biggest thing is want to,” Pitre said. “I look forward to those hits in those moments. Obviously, just being taught the right things throughout my life and just trying to use my leverage to hit as hard as I can. ..

“I think it’s definitely just want-to, just a determination to want to hit somebody and just bringing everything you got and not slowing down. I think that’s the biggest thing. And then, obviously, our coaches do a good job at teaching the proper ways to tackle, the proper angles to hit from, and the legal way to do it.”

When the Texans finalized a three-year, $42.6 million contract extension for Pitre, they felt extremely comfortable making that kind of hefty investment in a young, talented player who loves playing for his hometown team.

The deal, which included a $10 million signing bonus, $29.156 million total guaranteed, a base value of $39 million and an $18 million payout over the next 12 months, acknowledged his market value and his gritty style of play.

It has been a great investment so far.

Pitre also intercepted his fourth pass of the season against Kansas City, picking off star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He contorted and twisted his body to tip the football to himself. It was an incredible interception for the Texans’ top-ranked defense and the man who sports the No. 5 and has recovered from a concussion that forced him to miss three games.

“Five is the best in the world,” Texans corner Kamari Lassiter said. ““I didn’t get to see it for real because I was covering, but, word on the street, is he covered him, then he tipped the ball up five yards away, speed turned and dove. Every time I watch his film, I tell him: ‘You are one of one.’ I’ve never seen a player like him. He is elite.”

“Five was out there and he was spinning,” Texans safety Calen Bullock said. “Five is the best.”

Pitre prides himself on making clean tackles that are within the NFL rulebook. He’s not looking to cause injuries, or draw penalties.

“It’s very important, because in no way do I want to hurt the team and in no way do I want to hurt any players on our other team,” Pitre said. “Because I think if you hit somebody and you get a penalty, it’s like 15 yards. I’m trying to keep my money. The NFL gonna fine you for sure if it’s illegal, so I’m trying to keep it as clean as possible and make sure I’m in the target zone.”

The tackle on Rice did annoy the Chiefs, especially center Creed Humphrey, who gave Pitre a post-play shove.

“Yeah, I felt like he pushed me a little hard,” Pitre said.

Pitre is all about safety. He’s wearing a Guardian cap over his helmet to protect his brain from further concussions.

“It was ultimately a family decision,” Pitre said. “After my concussion, it was a bit tough for me coming back. It was probably the longest time I’ve been out for the concussion. So, after speaking with some family members, we all thought it would be best for me to keep that on and have my safety at the utmost importance.

“When I get out there, I’m still going to be flying around, but it’s about being safe with it as well. I’m cool with it. It’s a little bit heavier, I’ve been telling my teammates try it out and wear it in a game as well. I’m not trying to be the player with the most swagger with the Guardian cap.”

Pitre’s $13 million annual average, negotiated by veteran agents Trey Robinson and Marlon Moore of Athelite, briefly made him the highest paid nickel in the NFL before Chicago Bears slot corner Kyler Gordon eclipsed his deal with a $13. 3 million average compensation two days later.

Pitre is under contract with the Texans through the 2028 season with base salaries of $1.656 million (fully guaranteed for skill, injury and salary cap), $9 million (fully guaranteed), $9.5 million with $8.5 million guaranteed and $9.5 million. He has up to $500,000 in per-game active roster bonuses the next two seasons and up to $1 million in per-game active roster bonuses, a rate of $58,823 per game in 2027 and 2028.

In his fourth season in the league, Pitre has recorded 351 career tackles, 10 interceptions, two forced fumbles, one sack, 20 tackles for losses and 30 passes defensed.

Pitre has 55 tackles this season, four picks, nine passes defensed, a career-high and three tackles for losses.

He has allowed a career-low 296 passing yards, zero touchdown passes and a career-best 45.4 passer rating against him.

“Jalen has been a smart, trustworthy player for us,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Whatever’s asked of him, he’s willing and acceptable of whatever role. He’s a guy who truly wants to help the team in any way. Unselfish guy, great teammate, great leader. He’s really been a great player for us.”

The tackle against Rice punctuated a big night for the Texans’ defense. They intercepted Mahomes three times.

“That’s the nature of this defense, from top to bottom, left to right, we all hit, we all run and hit,” Pitre said. “So, I just had a good opportunity to do that today. Really thankful for that moment, and thankful for just to be out there with my teammates.”

Under the leadership of Ryans and his collaboration with Burke, the Texans are allowing a league-low 16.0 points per contest.

“It’s our standard, regardless of who we play, regardless of what the record is,” Pitre said. “DeMeco is never letting up, he is never helping us feel good about ourselves. He is always on us about how can we get better, and how can we do more, and how can we uplift the standard.

“I think when you have a coach like that, he does nothing but continue to bring the best out of all the players, and continue to bring the best out of the whole team. So, I’m thankful for coach for that, for just pushing us and keeping us with the right mindset.”

Pitre made a faster recovery than he anticipated from a torn pectoral that ended his season last year and required surgery to repair the damage.

“I just trust the process,” Pitre said. “Shout out to the trainers and the Texans staff and my coaches for giving me a timetable and progressing me along the way.”

Pitre tore his pectoral last season while tackling Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Boyd and caught the brunt of a collision with teammate Henry To’oTo’o. His absence created a void in the Texans’ defense.

Without Pitre, it became easier for offenses to run the football. And his physical, rangy, instinctive impact in the passing game was felt as well.

Back at his natural nickel position last season, Pitre started every game before he got hurt. He recorded 65 tackles, six tackles for losses, one forced fumble, one interception and eight passes defensed in a dozen starts.

“Another guy that really has elite focus on becoming the best whatever you want to call that in the league,” Burke said. “Trying to move him around a little bit, we know what his talents are bit. Just the energy, the work ethic, enthusiasm is just unwavering with him. It’s always, always, always a pleasure to be around Jalen.”

Personal accolades aren’t something that consumes Pitre. If Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition comes his way, so be it.

“I usually try not to worry about any of the award, he said. ”I obviously understand that if the team wins, all of the other stuff will take care of itself."

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com