David Montgomery Targets Houston Texans Opportunity
David Montgomery witnessed something distinctive across the practice field from him.
Last summer while still playing for the Detroit Lions, the veteran running back was participating in a joint training camp practice against the Houston Texans.
He realized what the Texans had across their roster, especially a defense that wound up as the top-ranked unit in the league.
So, when Montgomery was starting to lose his patience with the Lions in a reduced role behind star running back Jahmyr Gibbs, he had an idea about where he wanted to go.
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Texans Acquire David Montgomery to Replace Joe Mixon
Now, Montgomery is a part of a defending playoff squad as the Texans’ new RB1 as the replacement for former Pro Bowl runner Joe Mixon. Mixon was released due to ongoing complications from a mysterious foot injury.
Montgomery was traded in exchange for offensive guard Juice Scruggs, a fourth-round draft pick and a seventh-round pick. Montgomery plays the game with a hard-nosed, punishing running style. His nickname: ‘Knuckles.’
Montgomery is the starter and will be complemented by Woody Marks, the leading rusher last season as a rookie. Montgomery can’t wait to play for coach DeMeco Ryans.
“Houston was definitely the place that I wanted to go,” Montgomery said. “I was in Detroit, a very successful organization, and I practiced against Houston a couple of times and they’ve always been the hardest team to practice against.
“So, you can tell the morale, the mentality that coach Ryans brings to the table too. You also get to look at yourself like, ‘Dang, if I ever had an opportunity, I would love to play for a guy like that.’ Look, I’m here now getting to play under a guy like that, and I want to come in and show these guys that I could hang with the big dawgs.”
Texans GM Nick Caserio’s Offseason Roster Strategy
Texans general manager Nick Caserio knew at the NFL scouting combine how his plan to upgrade the roster might come together.
The rough blueprint for the offseason: maintain the bulk of a strong roster coming off three consecutive playoff appearances under the leadership of coach DeMeco Ryans, and emphasize some strategic additions through a combination of free agent signings and trades.
“We have a lot of good football players,” Caserio said. “We have a good quarterback. We’ve got good players.
We’re always going to try add good football players and build a good football team.
“Anytime there is a certain level of continuity, that’s a good thing. We’re not going to just stand still and stay status quo. We want to see some improvement.”
Houston Texans Building on Three Straight Playoff Appearances
The Texans have bolstered the roster with multiple new players via trades and some selective spending as well as restructuring multiple contracts and re-signing and extending several core players.
The Texans, although they fell short in the AFC divisional round for the third consecutive year with a bitter playoff loss to the New England Patriots as quarterback C.J. Stroud struggled with five interceptions and five fumbles in two playoff games, are becoming an NFL destination.
Ed Ingram Signs Contract Extension With Texans
Texans offensive guard Ed Ingram, after a resurgent season following a trade last year from the Minnesota Vikings, declined to go to free agency. Instead, he signed a three-year, $37.5 million extension with $23.5 million guaranteed hours before he could have been pursued by other NFL teams.
“I really like it here,” Ingram said after finalizing his deal. “I fit into the system. Thinking about the future, I would like to start my family here. I feel like us keeping most of our guys together creates that cohesiveness and we can continue to stack what we did in our first year here playing for [offensive line coach] Cole Popovich.
“The culture here is second to none. The whole reason I got paid is I locked in for a year and Cole he challenges us every day. He doesn’t let us get complacent.”
Texans Offensive Line Changes and Braden Smith Signing
The Texans are arguably better than last season when the defense thrived as the top-ranked unit in the NFL with a Super Bowl caliber group while the offense struggled. There are still some holes to fill, especially left guard and they could use a good young defensive tackle. Overall, though, this looks like a stronger roster even after trading for Montgomery and signing a couple of offensive linemen.
When the Texans traded versatile offensive lineman Tytus Howard, a former first-round draft pick, to the Cleveland Browns, they needed reinforcements across the line.
Although they held onto Ingram to play right guard, they needed a right tackle. They signed one of the top ones by adding former Indianapolis Colts starter Braden Smith on a two-year, $25 million deal with $13.5 million guaranteed and a $8.5 million signing bonus.
Smith should provide a physical presence as an anchor on the right side. He’s a tough run blocker and above average in pass protection.
“There’s a lot that goes into it,” Smith said. “Ultimately it’s just kind of wanting to go to a team and be able to compete, want to be able to help them. I’m laughing because I’m like thinking of my wife, ‘Braden, can we please go somewhere that’s warm?’
“It just felt like the right fit, like there was definitely a feeling behind it. From a faith standpoint, I feel like God places us where he needs us and feel like Houston’s been on the mind for a while now.
Ultimately, it happened the way that it needed to happen and I feel good about it.”
Texans Add Safety Reed Blankenship to Strengthen Secondary
The Texans signed rangy former Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship to a three-year, $24.74 million deal.
He was a team captain for a Super Bowl championship squad. He recorded 83 tackles, one interception and a forced fumble last season. Blankenship, working in tandem with an absolutely loaded secondary headlined by All-Pro cornerback
Logan Hall Returns Home to Join Texans Defensive Line
The Texans added former University of Houston defensive lineman Logan Hall, a Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-round pick on a two-year, $13.75 million deal with $9 million guaranteed.
Hall is a 6-foot-6, 283-pound pass rusher who can line up inside or outside. He has 101 career tackles and 10 sacks with one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.
“Oh man, I’m so excited,” Hall said. “I’m coming home. I just like their style of defense. They pin their ears back and go. DeMeco Ryans does a great job getting them dialed in. I’m happy to be a part of it and do what I can do to help the team win.”
Texans Retain Key Defensive Veterans
Besides bringing back Ingram, the Texans kept starting defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins with a two-year, $17 million deal with $12 million guaranteed.
Rankins is a key presence in the locker room as a mentor to All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. Rankins had 35 tackles, 44 pressures, three sacks, five tackles for losses and returned two fumbles for touchdowns.
Trent Brown Returns as Massive Swing Tackle
Massive former Pro Bowl offensive tackle Trent Brown is back with the Texans on a one-year, $7 million deal.
He’s the main swing tackle. And he’s the biggest player in the league at 6-foot-8, 380 pounds.
Dalton Schultz Earns Contract Extension After Career Season
The Texans rewarded tight end Dalton Schultz with a one-year, $12.6 million extension through the 2027 season.
Schultz caught a career-high 82 passes last season and improved his blocking performance.
Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Lead Elite Pass Rush
Danielle Hunter delivered 15 sacks last season working in tandem with All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr.
The Texans are expected to sign Anderson to a blockbuster contract extension that will make him the highest paid defensive player in NFL history, per league sources.
They also conducted business with Hunter, signing him to a one-year, $40.1 million extension through the 2027 season.
The deal is fully guaranteed. He’s due a $30.2 million base salary in 2027. He receives a $30.7 million signing bonus.
Ka’imi Fairbairn Becomes NFL’s Highest-Paid Kicker
Ka’imi Fairbairn is the highest paid kicker in the NFL with a new two-year, $13 million contract extension.
He’s a record-setting mainstay of the Texans’ successful special teams units.
He tied an NFL record with 44 field goals last season and hit all 28 extra points. He hit six field goals against the Indianapolis Colts to tie a franchise single-game record.
“Best kicker in the league,” Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson said. “Ice in his veins.”
Texans Restructure Contracts for Salary Cap Flexibility
The Texans finalized their planned restructure of All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.’s $113 million contract through a simple conversion of his originally scheduled $21.595 million base salary into a $20.38 million signing bonus.
His new salary-cap figure is down to $10.791 million from $27.095 million.
The Texans restructured nickel Jalen Pitre’s $42.6 million contract for salary-cap purposes.
The Texans converted $7.75 million of his $9 million fully guaranteed base salary into a signing bonus and added two void years for proration of his altered deal, per a source.
Pitre is due a $9.5 million salary in 2027 with $8.5 million guaranteed and $9.5 million in 2028.