New general manager Nick Caserio keeps finding ways to save money for the Houston Texans as it relates to the salary cap.
According to Field Yates of ESPN, the Texans restructured inside linebacker Zach Cunningham’s contract created $5.6325M in available space for 2021. Theh way the Texans were able to do it was by converting his $7.51 million base salary in 2021 into a signing bonus.
The Texans re-signed Cunningham, a former 2017 second-round pick from Vanderbilt, to a four-year, $58 million contract in August of 2020. The second contract afforded the opportunity for Cunningham to continue his career with the Texans, and also demonstrated how much belief the organization had in the 6-3, 238-pound linebacker.
“Just from their standpoint being able to lock me in, it kind of told me they have a great amount of trust in me,” Cunningham told reporters on Aug. 31. “They believe in me, believe what I can do for the program. The sentiment is the same for me. I believe that I have a lot to give to the program.”
Cunningham finished the 2020 season with 164 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 16 starts.
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