What to know about ultra-active Texans after multiple signings, trades: ‘Not status quo’

HOUSTON – Nick Caserio foreshadowed what was about to transpire a few weeks ago during the NFL scouting combine.

The Texans’ rough blueprint for the offseason: maintain the bulk of a strong roster coming off three consecutive playoff appearances under the leadership of coach DeMeco Ryans, and emphasize some strategic additions through a combination of free agent signings and trades.

“We have a lot of good football players,” the Texans general manager said. “We have a good quarterback. We’ve got good players. We’re always going to try add good football players and build a good football team.

“Anytime there is a certain level of continuity, that’s a good thing. We’re not going to just stand still and stay status quo. We want to see some improvement.”

The Texans have arguably done that, at least on paper, by bolstering the roster with multiple new players via trades and some selective spending as well as restructuring multiple contracts and re-signing and extending several core players.

One of the more notable moves was trading for veteran running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions in exchange for offensive guard Juice Scruggs, a fourth-round draft pick and a seventh-round pick. Montgomery plays the game with a hard-nosed, punishing running style. His nickname: ‘Knuckles.’

Montgomery is the primary replacement for former Pro Bowl runner and team captain Joe Mixon, released with a failed physical designation after a mysterious foot injury that prevented him from playing the entire past season. Montgomery is the starter and will be complemented by Woody Marks, the leading rusher last season as a rookie.

“Houston was definitely the place that I wanted to go,” Montgomery said Friday during a virtual press conference with Houston reporters. “I was in Detroit, a very successful organization, and I practiced against Houston a couple of times and they’ve always been the hardest team to practice against.

“So, you can tell the morale, the mentality that coach Ryans brings to the table too. You also get to look at yourself like, ‘Dang, if I ever had an opportunity, I would love to play for a guy like that.’ Look, I’m here now getting to play under a guy like that, and I want to come in and show these guys that I could hang with the big dawgs.”

READ MORE: Texans signing former Colts tackle Braden Smith to two-year, $25 million deal

Houston Texans sign kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn to a two-year, $13 million extension, making him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL.

READ MORE: Texans’ Ka’imi Fairbairn becomes NFL’s highest paid kicker with two-year, $13 million extension

The Texans, although they fell short in the AFC divisional round for the third consecutive year with a bitter playoff loss to the New England Patriots as quarterback C.J. Stroud struggled with five interceptions and five fumbles in two playoff games, are becoming an NFL destination.

Texans offensive guard Ed Ingram, after a resurgent season following a trade last year from the Minnesota Vikings, declined to go to free agency. Instead, he signed a three-year, $37.5 million extension with $23.5 million guaranteed hours before he could have been pursued by other NFL teams.

“I really like it here,” Ingram told KPRC 2 after finalizing his deal. “I fit into the system. Thinking about the future, I would like to start my family here. I feel like us keeping most of our guys together creates that cohesiveness and we can continue to stack what we did in our first year here playing for [offensive line coach] Cole Popovich.

“The culture here is second to none. The whole reason I got paid is I locked in for a year and Cole he challenges us every day. He doesn’t let us get complacent.”

The Texans are arguably better than last season when the defense thrived as the top-ranked unit in the NFL with a Super Bowl caliber group while the offense struggled. There are still some holes to fill, especially left guard and they could use a good young defensive tackle. Overall, though, this looks like a stronger roster even after trading for Montgomery and signing a couple of offensive linemen.

The Texans have displayed some interest in Cleveland Browns free agent offensive guard and former Pro Bowl selection Wyatt Teller, per a league source.

Here’s a look at where the Texans stand after the first week of free agency, tracking each move, starting with outside signings and trades, re-signings and extensions and restructured deals:

Texans sign offensive tackle Braden Smith

When the Texans traded versatile offensive lineman Tytus Howard, a former first-round draft pick, to the Cleveland Browns, they needed reinforcements across the line.

Although they held onto Ingram to play right guard, they needed a right tackle. They signed one of the top ones by adding former Indianapolis Colts starter Braden Smith on a two-year, $25 million deal with $13.5 million guaranteed and a $8.5 million signing bonus.

Smith should provide a physical presence as an anchor on the right side. He’s a tough run blocker and above average in pass protection.

"There’s a lot that goes into it," Smith told KPRC 2 in a virtual interview after agreeing to terms this week. “Ultimately it’s just kind of wanting to go to a team and be able to compete, want to be able to help them. I’m laughing because I’m like thinking of my wife, ‘Braden, can we please go somewhere that’s warm?’

“It just felt like the right fit, like there was definitely a feeling behind it. From a faith standpoint, I feel like God places us where he needs us and feel like Houston’s been on the mind for a while now. Ultimately, it happened the way that it needed to happen and I feel good about it.”

Tight end signed

The Texans needed a proven blocker with experience in their offense.

They found him in former New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau on a one-year, $6.3 million deal with a $7.3 million maximum value.

He played in the Josh McDaniels system with the Raiders, an offense largely used by Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley, and overlapped with Texans quarterbacks coach Jerry Schuplinski in Las Vegas.

He’s a former fourth-round draft pick from LSU who overcame Hodgkin’s lymphoma three years ago.

Moreau should be a sound addition behind Dalton Schultz with tight ends Cade Stover and Brevin Jordan returning from knee injuries.

Texans sign former Eagles safety

The Texans signed rangy former Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship to a three-year, $24.74 million deal.

He was a team captain for a Super Bowl championship squad. He recorded 83 tackles, one interception and a forced fumble last season.

Blankenship, working in tandem with an absolutely loaded secondary headlined by All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., should be an asset to the defense.

Texans sign Dominique Robinson

The Texans added depth at defensive end with former Chicago Bears fifth-round pick Dominique Robinson.

He was signed to a one-year, $4 million deal

Robinson is a former college quarterback and receiver who has posted an impressive 41-inch vertical leap. He has recorded 62 career tackles with 3 1/2 sacks and three pass deflections.

READ MORE: Texans reach three-year, $37.5 million deal for guard Ed Ingram hours before free agency tampering period

READ MORE: Texans strike two-year deal to hold onto Sheldon Rankins with $12 million total guaranteed

Texans sign former UH standout Logan Hall

The Texans added former University of Houston defensive lineman Logan Hall, a Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-round pick on a two-year, $13.75 million deal with $9 million guaranteed.

Hall is a 6-foot-6, 283-pound pass rusher who can line up inside or outside. He has 101 career tackles and 10 sacks with one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.

“Oh man, I’m so excited,” Hall told KPRC 2. “I’m coming home. I just like their style of defense. They pin their ears back and go. DeMeco Ryans does a great job getting them dialed in. I’m happy to be a part of it and do what I can do to help the team win.”

Trade for punter

The Texans didn’t retain punter Tommy Townsend, a former All-Pro who joined the Tennessee Titans on a two-year, $6 million deal.

They acquired his potential replacement in a trade with the Saints, sending a 2028 sixth-round pick to New Orleans in exchange for punter Kai Kroeger and a 2028 seventh-round pick.

A former All-American at South Carolina who tried out for the Texans last year at a rookie minicamp and wasn’t signed as he joined the New York Jets before landing in New Orleans, Kroeger averaged 44.8 yards last season with two blocked punts.

Texans add special-teams standout

The Texans signed former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jake Hummel to a two-year, $5.25 million deal that includes a $900,000 signing bonus.

Hummel has run the 40-yard dash in 4.51 seconds.

He played 82 percent of the Ravens’ special teams snaps last season and has 49 career tackles.

He replaces durability-challenged linebacker Christian Harris, who signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

Re-signing Sheldon Rankins

Besides bringing back Ingram, the Texans kept starting defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins with a two-year, $17 million deal with $12 million guaranteed.

Rankins is a key presence in the locker room as a mentor to All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr.

Rankins had 35 tackles, 44 pressures, three sacks, five tackles for losses and returned two fumbles for touchdowns.

Big Trent Brown returns

Massive former Pro Bowl offensive tackle Trent Brown is back with the Texans on a one-year, $7 million deal.

He’s the main swing tackle.

The Texans won all eight games he started last season as he battled back from a torn patellar tendon two seasons ago with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Brown is making a sound recovery from an ankle injury that kept him out against New England.

He’s the biggest player in the league at 6-foot-8, 380 pounds.

E.J. Speed back

The Texans retained a key linebacker and special teams contributor by negotiating a two-year, $13 million extension with E.J. Speed.

Speed receives a $4 million signing bonus and $7.5 million total guaranteed.

He had 62 tackles, three for losses and two quarterback hits last season. He played 44 percent of the defensive snaps last season and 52 percent of the special teams snaps.

Safety re-signed

The Texans re-signed safety M.J. Stewart on a one-year, $3 million deal.

Stewart is coming back from a torn quadriceps tendon.

The 30-year-old has 237 career tackles, two interceptions and four forced fumbles.

Houston Texans sign former Chicago Bears defensive end Dominique Robinson for one year, $4 million.

READ MORE: Source: Texans signing former Bears defensive end Dominique Robinson to one-year deal worth up to $4 million

Houston Texans re-sign safety M.J. Stewart for one year, $3 million.

Houston Texans re-sign tight end Dalton Schultz for one year, $12.6 million.

READ MORE: Texans signing veteran tight end Dalton Schultz to one-year, $12.6 million extension

Houston Texans re-sign linebacker E.J. Speed for two years, $13 million ($7.5M guaranteed).

READ MORE: Texans re-signing linebacker E.J. Speed to two-year, $13 million max value deal

Houston Texans re-sign Naquan Jones for two years, $2.5 million.

READ MORE: Texans re-sign Naquan Jones to one-year, $2.5 million deal: ‘I believe it’s going to be something great, I’m grateful’

Texans extend tight end Dalton Schultz

The Texans rewarded tight end Dalton Schultz with a one-year, $12.6 million extension through the 2027 season.

Schultz caught a career-high 82 passes last season and improved his blocking performance.

Big-time deal for Danielle Hunter, a Morton Ranch graduate

A Katy native, Danielle Hunter delivered 15 sacks last season working in tandem with Anderson.

The Texans are expected to sign Anderson to a blockbuster contract extension that will make him the highest paid defensive player in NFL history, per league sources.

They also conducted business with Hunter, signing him to a one-year, $40.1 million extension through the 2027 season.

The deal is fully guaranteed. He’s due a $30.2 million base salary in 2027. He receives a $30.7 million signing bonus.

His nickname: ‘Cyborg.’

He has 114 1/2 career sacks.

Texans re-sign Naquan Jones

Naquan Jones is back with the Texans after a strong postseason.

He had five tackles, one for a loss in two playoff games.

Jones, a defensive tackle, is due a $2.5 million maximum value on a one-year deal.

“I believe it’s going to be something great,” Jones told KPRC 2. “I’m grateful and excited to be a part of it. We fell short against New England, but we’re able to build in a short amount of time. You want to be a part of that.”

Kicker new highest paid in NFL

Ka’imi Fairbairn is the highest paid kicker in the NFL with a new two-year, $13 million contract extension.

He’s a record-setting mainstay of the Texans’ successful special teams units.

He tied and NFL record with 44 field goals last season and hit all 28 extra points. He hit six field goals against the Indianapolis Colts to tie a franchise single-game record.

“Best kicker in the league,” Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson said. “Ice in his veins.”

Texans release Mario Edwards Jr.

In a financially-related move, the Texans terminated the contract of defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. with a failed physical designation.

He tore his pectoral last season.

The Texans saved $4.4 million against the salary cap by moving on from Edwards. He dipped to 13 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks last season.

Defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr. left the Texans on a three-year, $24 million deal with the Washington Commanders.

Settle got priced out of the Texans’ budget.

The Texans are considered likely to extend defensive tackle Tommy Togiai at some point this year.

Texans released Joe Mixon

Texans cut Kurt Hinish

The Texans released veteran defensive tackle Kurt Hinish one year after signing him to a one-year contract with a maximum value of $2.35 million.

The deal had a base value of $1.8 million, which tolled last season on the reserve physically unable to perform list with a knee injury that required surgery.

Hinish, 26, is a former undrafted free agent from Notre Dame. The Pittsburgh native has recorded 57 career tackles and 1 1/2 sacks.

The 6-foot-2, 302-pounder played in 10 games two seasons ago and had 12 tackles, two for losses.

As a rookie, he played in 15 games with three starts and recorded 23 tackles, six for losses, one sack and two quarterback hits.

He was one of three rookies to make the opening-game 53-man roster along with linebacker Jake Hansen and fullback Troy Hairston.

For the Fighting Irish, Hinish finished his career with 83 tackles, 7 1/2 sacks and one forced fumble.

Texans cut Joe Mixon, saving $8 million,

The medical and contractual situations involving injured Texans veteran running back Joe Mixon ultimately led to his release/

The Texans later made the parting of ways with Mixon official. He was released with a non-football injury designation on the league’s daily personnel notice.

The injury-riddled saga of Mixon is over.

Mixon missed the entire season with a mysterious foot injury. The former Pro Bowl selection and team captain recently underwent surgery this offseason, according to Caserio.

The Texans had already replaced him by trading for Montgomery.

Caserio acknowledged at the NFL scouting combine there was no clarity involving Mixon’s future with the AFC South franchise, adding that there had been conversations with Mixon and his longtime agent, Peter Schaffer.

The Texans were widely expected to ultimately part ways with Mixon via a failed physical, per league sources, and releasing him from his three-year, $27 million contract. KPRC 2 previously reported Mixon wouldn’t be back and that he would miss the entire season.

Derek Stingley Jr. contract altered

The Texans finalized their planned restructure of All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.’s $113 million contract through a simple conversion of his originally scheduled $21.595 million base salary into a $20.38 million signing bonus.

His new salary-cap figure is down to $10.791 million from $27.095 million. The total savings is $16.304 million. A voidable year in 2030 was added. His salary cap figure for 2027 is $29.576 million, $30.576 million in 2028, and $31.576 million in 2029.

Texans restructured Jalen Pitre

The Texans restructured nickel Jalen Pitre’s $42.6 million contract for salary-cap purposes, per a league source.

The Texans converted $7.75 million of his $9 million fully guaranteed base salary into a signing bonus and added two void years for proration of his altered deal, per a source.

When the Texans finalized a three-year, $42.6 million contract extension for Pitre, they felt extremely comfortable making that kind of hefty investment.

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 hard-hitting, gritty style of play.

Pitre is due a $9.5 million salary in 2027 with $8.5 million guaranteed and $9.5 million in 2028. 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.

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