The #Texans and CB Johnathan Joseph have mutually agreed that he will enter free agency.
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) March 11, 2020
The Houston Texans and Pro Bowl cornerback Johnathan Joseph have mutually decided that the 36-year-old will enter free agency when the new league year begins on March 18 at 3:00 p.m. Central Time.
The team released a statement thanking Joseph for his professionalism and also his leadership since coming over as a free agent from the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011.
“Johnathan has been a consummate professional, team captain and one of the leaders of our defense for the past nine years. It is rare for a player to sustain such a high level of play for over a decade and that says so much about him and his dedication to the game. He is an exceptional teammate, mentor, husband and father. His impact on and off the field makes him quite possibly the most celebrated free agent signing in franchise history. The entire Houston Texans organization thanks Johnathan for the contributions he made to our team and the Houston community. We wish him and his family all the best as he pursues free agency.”
Joseph will leave the Texans as the franchise’s all-time leader with 17 interceptions, 118 pass breakups, 410 interception yards, and four interceptions returned for touchdowns. Joseph will also leave Houston tied for the third-most games played for the Texans with 133 and fifth in total tackles with 482.
The former South Carolina Gamecock seeks to extend some of his NFL career marks in his 15th season in 2020, but with a new team. Joseph is sixth in career pass breakups with 194 and has the most games in NFL history with multiple pass breakups with 50.
The other starting cornerback for the Texans in 2019 was Bradley Roby, who was limited to 10 games with a hamstring injury. If the Texans also decide to let Roby walk, then they will have two completely new cornerbacks starting on the outside in 2020.