Things have been busy all week for the Houston Texans and their general manager Nick Caserio. As of Thursday afternoon, four trades had been consummated this week, the final week before free agency begins on Monday. Half of those trades involve the Houston Texans, one shipping tackle Tytus Howard out, and the other bringing in running back David Montgomery.
On my radio show Thursday morning on SportsRadio 610, Caserio joined us for about 40 minutes, in part to lay out a general idea of what to expect in the coming days and weeks. Part of the agenda includes trying to bring back some of the 2025 Houston Texans who are on the cusp of hitting the open market of free agency.
On Thursday, the first such name dropped, with the Texans inking 12th year tackle Trent Brown to a one year $7 million contract:
Let’s dig into this move, what it means, and what else may be imminent over the next several days:
Let’s dig into this move, what it means, and what else may be imminent over the next several days:
This is a big raise over Brown’s contract from last season
Last season, Brown was brought in before camp on a one-year deal, with a veteran minimum base salary (just over $1 million) and incentives that could bring the deal to $3 million. Ultimately, Brown played well, when healthy. That’s a key distinction, because he was only healthy for about half the season. When Brown started, the Texans were 8-0, including the playoffs. Brown was also a voice of leadership in the locker room. This deal feels about right, assuming Brown’s role is as a spot starter and swing tackle.
This cannot be the sole plan for the right tackle spot
When Howard was traded earlier this week, the hope is that the Texans had a plan at right tackle. I am assuming they do. I am also wishfully assuming that the plan isn’t to just plug Trent Brown in as a 17-game starter. For one thing, he can’t stay healthy for 17 games. Another thing, while he played well last season, it’s time to build something more foundational, which means either a longer term free agent, or more likely, the Texans using one of their first three picks in the draft on a tackle.
Where does Blake Fisher fit in?
I know that Texan fans are skeptical about Nick Caserio’s evaluations of draft prospects on the offensive line, and rightfully so. Kenyon Green (1st round, 2022) and Juice Scruggs (2nd round, 2023) both were busts for the Texans. It does appear that last year’s second round pick, Aireontae Ersery has a bright future at left tackle. That leaves 2024’s second rounder, Blake Fisher, who started several games at right tackle his rookie season. Last season, after getting worked over in camp by the Texans’ defensive line, Fisher settled into a part time role as a 6th offensive lineman in heavy sets. Fisher is still on the roster, and presumably will get a chance to compete at right tackle, but the Texans still can’t stop picking up players for that spot. A combination of Brown and Fisher is not acceptable heading into camp.
Who’s next?
Brown will likely not be the last free agent retained by the Texans before Monday. There are several players, especially along the defensive side of the ball, where the team and the player both have mutual interest in a reunion. Names to watch over the next few days include defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins and Tim Settle, defensive end Derek Barnett, punter Tommy Townsend, and linebacker E.J. Speed.