Chase McLaughlin
Chase McLaughlin, a rookie, is currently kicking for the San Francisco 49ers. Why is he a candidate to land in Houston? Robbie Gould. Gould, a Pro Bowler, is dealing with a quad injury. He was questionable in Week 11 but may return in Week 12. If so, the expectation is the 49ers releasing McLaughlin.
If and when McLaughlin is released, the Texans should be interested. Though he famously missed an overtime field goal in Week 10’s “Monday Night Football,” let’s not forget that he drilled a 47-yarder to force overtime.
Between two teams in 2019 (other being the Los Angeles Chargers), McLaughlin is 10 for 14 on field goals (71.4%) while not missing an extra point. At Illinois, he made 74.6% of his field goals while not missing an extra point. He won the Bakken-Anderson Kicker of the Year award in 2019, given to the BIG 10’s best kicker.