The deal includes $4 million in the first year, according to Wilson.
Fells put up a career-high 34 receptions for 341 yards and had seven touchdown catches for the Texans in 2019. He was playing under a one-year, $1.5 million contract.
Fells, who turns 34 in April, was a European professional basketball player before entering the NFL in 2013.
Six years and five teams later, Fells set the single-season Texans franchise record for most touchdown catches by a tight end.
In November, tight ends coach Will Lawing said Fells' life experience and ability to handle different environments rubbed off on the younger players in the tight end group. Jordan Akins and Jordan Thomas are both entering their third year in the league, while Kahale Warring, who did not see the field at all in 2019, is entering his second season.
Lawing said the 6-7, 270-pound Fells provides a bonus in the run game because he can do some good things on the edge. He’s disciplined with his footwork, pad level and hand placement, Lawing said.
"Those things – it’s easy as a coach to sit there and tell guys what to do, but when you have a guy like him and say, ‘Watch this guy do it,’ is beneficial for the rest of the guys."