The Texans spent Monday morning cleaning their lockers out at NRG Stadium. Some players and coaches will return, others likely already have their sights set on the free agent market and opportunity that awaits elsewhere.
Following the disappointing 34-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round, the Texans offseason has officially begun.
With a total of 36 free agents and at least two coaches drawing serious interest in elevated roles elsewhere, the Texans, who had already undergone one of the most drastic roster and staff changes in the NFL last offseason, are likely going to churn the roster even more this offseason.
Coaches in demand
Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and quarterback coach Jerrod Johnson have drawn interest from a number of organizations for elevated roles.
Johnson has reportedly already interviewed for the New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator opening and is expected to discuss an opportunity with the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday.
Slowik has been busy, interviewing with the Tennessee Titans for their head coaching position, which is reportedly set to be filled by former Cincinnati Bengals OC Brian Callahan. Slowik has also already reportedly met with the Washington Commanders, Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons about their head coaching vacancies and expected to talk with the Seattle Seahawks.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said he understands and respects the business side of things, and whatever opportunities those two men garner this offseason, has been earned.
“Whatever happens with those guys, they deserve whatever is coming to them,” Stroud said. “It’s been a blessing working with them, but if they come back, that would be cool too.”
Key free agents
DE Jonathan Greenard - He finished with a career high 12.5 sacks, 22 quarterback hits and 15 tackles for loss. The Texans will have to make a tough decision on if they want to commit top-dollar for the fifth-year pro.
DT Sheldon Rankins - 2024 will be his ninth season in the NFL and the veteran defensive tackle is coming off of one of the best years of his career. Rankins played and started in 15 games, recorded six sacks, 10 QB hits, nine tackles for loss and a fumble returned for touchdown.
Rankins and Maliek Collins were a key duo in the Texans boasting a massive turnaround in a run defense, that prior to them and DeMeco Ryans coming together, were routinely a laughing stock. He’s a veteran well worth considering keeping around.
LB Blake Cashman - An often injured special teams ace, Cashman had a career-year under Ryans. He started in a career-high 13 games, playing in 16. The middle linebacker led the team in tackles with 106, had five pass deflections, an interception, two sacks, nine tackles for loss and five quarterback hits during the regular season.
When healthy, Cashman has proven his value and should get a decent raise from the $1.1 million he earned this past season.
CB Steven Nelson - He had an interesting season. Nelson went from a guy that looked sure to be cut after a barbed attack on general manager Nick Caserio’s wardrobe during training camp, to a team captain and one of the better corners in the AFC.
The 31-year old intercepted four passes and allowed just one touchdown this season. He wants to be paid, but the Texans don’t appear the likeliest to give him the bag.
TE Dalton Schultz - He wasn’t exactly Stroud’s safety blanket early on, but did become more reliable and consistent as the season wore on, putting up some of the best numbers of his six-year career.
Schultz caught 59 passes, finished with 635 yards and five touchdowns. He should be one of the top priorities for Caserio to bring back this offseason and could get a nice-sized multi-year deal.
Related
WR Noah Brown - Despite missing seven games during the regular season, Brown put up career-high numbers in yards (567), yards per reception (17.2) and yard per target (10.3).
Brown recorded 10 of the most explosive games in Texans history, combining for 325 yards on 13 catches and a touchdown in victories over the Buccaneers and Bengals. However, the Texans will likely explore other options via the draft and/or free agency at the receiver position.
RB Devin Singletary - He didn’t emerge as the lead running back until week 14, splitting carries with Dameon Pierce to that point, but still managed to compile a career best 898 yards rushing on 216 attempts.
It remains to be seen how much patience the Texans will have with Pierce, but it would behoove them to bring back one of the toughest, most productive guys on the team.
K Ka’imi Fairbairn - Coming off of arguably the best season of his career, Fairbairn was about as reliable as you could hope for this season.
Making a career best 96.4 percent of his field goal attempts, the 29-year-old is 11 of 12 beyond 50 yards the past two seasons combined, and is at least one-third of the reason why the Texans continue to boast one of the best special teams units in the league.
DB Desmond King - The value he brought to this team was maybe as apparent with him off of the team as it was with him on it.
Cut after training camp, King returned ahead of a week 12 matchup with the Jaguars and plugged a glaring hole at nickel corner.
King was consistent, a plus tackler and a leader on the defense. For the Texans, he finished the season with two pass deflections, a sack and five tackles for loss.
Other Texans free agents
P Cam Johnston, LS Jon Weeks, OL George Fant, OL Josh Jones, OL Charlie Heck, OL Dieter Eiselen, OL DJ Scaife, WR Steven Sims, WR Jared Wayne, RB Dare Ogunbowale, TE Eric Saubert, DE Jerry Hughes, DE Derek Barnett, DT Hassan Ridgeway, DT Khalil Davis, DT Teair Tart, LB Denzel Perryman, LB Neville Hewitt, CB Tavierre Thomas, S Eric Murray, S DeAndre Houston-Carson, S Grayland Arnold, S Adrian Amos, CB D’Angelo Ross, CB Kris Boyd,