Even though the activity has died down from a fever pitch a week ago to practically nothing this week so far, the NFL offseason continues to roll along. There are numerous free agents still waiting to find a football home for next season, but the “big ticket” players are largely off the board.
When you add up the various types of transactions NFL teams make, the Houston Texans have, not surprisingly, been one of the most active teams in the entire league. It’s been that way every year since Nick Caserio arrived in 2021. No team has signed more free agents in March and April, in the last six seasons, than the Houston Texans.
Thanks to @TexansJacob on X, here is a summery of what Caserio has accomplished thus far this offseason:
Even with that extensive summary list, there are definitely more moves coming. There always are. Here are three moves that I would bet will happen, some perhaps even this week:
Texans retaining at least one more of their own free agents
As of this article, according to Spotrac, here are the Texans’ remaining free agents from their 2025 squad:
Christian Kirk, WR
Denico Autry, DE
Derek Barnett, DE
Foley Fatukasi, DT
Nick Chubb, RB
Dare Ogunbowale, RB
Braxton Berrios, WR
Myles Bryant, DB
Harrison Bryant, TE
Damone Clark, LB
If I had to guess, I would say there is a minimal chance we see Kirk, Autry, Fatukasi, Chubb, Berrios, Harrison Bryant, or Clark coming back. The two I think are a possibility are Barnett, who’s been a Texan on one year deals each of the last two seasons, and Ogunbowale, who’s just feels like someone who will get a veteran’s minimum deal in the next month and make the team as a special teamer.
Will Anderson’s massive contract extension
If you are looking for the biggest lock to happen at some point this offseason, here it is. They made a huge trade to move up and draft Anderson in 2023. They did so with the idea that he would be a pillar of the defense and a lead voice in the locker room. He’s exceeded every expectation, finishing runner up for Defensive Player of the Year this past season, and is now going to reap the rewards. I would expect Anderson will become the highest paid non-quarterback in the sport, and I expect it to happen sooner rather than later.
The annual Caserio Trade out of the first round of the draft
Ah yes! The annual torpedoing of the Texans’ fan draft party, because the team’s GM likes stacking up extra picks to move back into the second round of the draft. Two seasons ago, Caserio made the deal early, in March, to trade with the Vikings and move from 23rd overall down to 42nd. That worked out well — the Texans could plan the draft party for Day 2 of the draft, and the Texans selected Kamari Lassiter. Last season, the Texans traded out of the first round on draft night, while the party was popping, and selected Jayden Higgins the next night with the 34th pick. Higgins was fine this season, but Caserio ruined everyone’s evening on Day 1 of the draft. If I had to guess, we might be looking at another 2025 scenario, with Caserio staying in the first round, until someone wants to move up on draft night for Alabama QB Ty Simpson. Then, all hell breaks loose again.