HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610) -- The Houston Texans released a statement Wednesday saying they mutually agreed to with longtime cornerback Johnathan Joseph to allow him to enter free agency.
Joseph was acquired by the Texans in 2011 after spending five seasons with the Cincinatti Bengals. He is now the francise all-time leader in interceptions (17), passes defensed (118), interception return yards (410) and interceptions returned for touchdowns (four) while ranking tied for third in games played (133) and fifth in total tackles (482). He also ranks sixth in career passes defensed (194) in NFL history and owns the most games with multiple passes defensed (50).
"Johnathan has been a consummate professional, team captain and one of the leaders of our defense for the past nine years," the Texans' statement reads. "It is rare for a player to sustain such a high level of play for over a decade and that says so much about him and his dedication to the game. He is an exceptional teammate, mentor, husband and father. His impact on and off the field makes him quite possibly the most celebrated free agent signing in franchise history. The entire Houston Texans organization thanks Johnathan for the contributions he made to our team and the Houston community. We wish him and his family all the best as he pursues free agency."
The #Texans and CB Johnathan Joseph have mutually agreed that he will enter free agency.
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans)
March 11, 2020 The Texans have been trying to address issues at cornerback for a while.
During the season, they traded for Gareon Conley from the Oakland Raiders and signed Vernon Hargreaves III off waivers from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to address the lack of depth at the position.
Bradley Roby is also a free agent, but the Texans are expected to make an offer for him to return.
