Category: 2023 NFL Free Agency

Texans’ signing of Case Keenum ranked 10th-best QB move of the offseason

The Houston Texans’ signing of Case Keenum has earned praise as the 10th-best quarterback signing of free agency.

The Houston Texans already acquired a quarterback in the 2023 offseason.

As part of the opening of the new league year and free agency, the Texans signed Case Keenum to be the backup for their incoming rookie quarterback. The 2023 NFL draft will sort out the details of who exactly that signal caller will be.

According to Cody Benjamin from CBS Sports, the Texans’ two-year deal with Keenum is considered the 10th-best quarterback move of the offseason.

It’s a backup match made in heaven: A Texas native now on his third stint with the team, Keenum is an underrated off-script mentor whose experience in all kinds of systems — he’s started for six different clubs — should be instrumental to whichever top prospect Houston selects early in April’s draft.

Of course, Benjamin listed 15 quarterback transactions in all. Nevertheless the move was one that met the needs of where the Texans were at to start free agency. Houston wasn’t going to be big players for former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr or former San Francisco 49ers signal caller Jimmy Garoppolo. Houston is still in the midst of a rebuild, and adding that type of veteran talent could trap the Texans in a state of suspended mediocrity.

Not only does Keenum have experience with a variety of systems, but he has been a part of the Texans’ glory years. Although the former Houston Cougar was merely an undrafted free agent when he signed with the Texans in 2012 and was stashed on the practice, he was in the locker room at NRG Stadium when Andre Johnson, J.J. Watt, DeAndre Hopkins, Arian Foster, Johnathan Joseph, Kareem Jackson, and Duane Brown were vocal leaders and leaders by example for the organization.

As long as Keenum isn’t playing for the Texans in any significant capacity, he makes for a good backup.

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4-Down Territory: Pro days, free agency reunions, best rules change proposals

Doug Farrar and Kyle Madson discuss pro days, best available free agents, and NFL rules proposals in this week’s “4-Down Territory.”

NFL free agency has died down, and we’re just heading into the meat of the 2023 draft, so it’s an interesting time to see just where we stand on all kinds of football subjects. This week, 4-Down Territory hosts Kyle Madson of Niners Wire and Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar get into all kinds of things from big-time pro days to which remaining free agents should be signed to which rules proposals should be approved at the owners meetings.

00:00 – Key takeaways from Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Will Levis pro days

04:19 – Which available player are you most surprised by his current availability?

09:38 – Which other first-team reunion do you think would best benefit all parties involved?

13:55 – Which proposed rules changes do you think most needs to be added?

You can watch this week’s episode of “4-Down Territory” right here.

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8 takeaways from Ravens coach John Harbaugh’s comments on Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens coach Jim Harbaugh had some remarks on QB Lamar Jackson and the franchise tag quagmire.

The Baltimore Ravens chose the hard way to start the 2023 offseason when they designated quarterback Lamar Jackson with the franchise tag.

The former 2019 NFL MVP also added sizzle to the predicament on Monday when he revealed on Twitter details about a possible trade earlier in March. Jackson’s Twitter thread seemed to end with his sights set on another NFL city as he indicated Baltimore fans would always have a special place in his heart.

Coach John Harbaugh met with reporters at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix to talk about the state of the team, and Jackson was a big ticket item on the agenda. Here are eight takeaways.

Texans considered ‘most improved’ team in free agency

The Houston Texans are considered to be the “most improved” team in free agency after the first wave.

The Houston Texans made a flurry of moves in free agency as general manager Nick Caserio seeks to cap off the rebuild.

With the Texans making their way through the first wave of free agency, all that remains to be filled on the roster is quarterback, receiver, edge defender, and arguably center.

According to Will Brinson from CBS Sports, the Texans are the “most improved” team to come out of free agency.

Surprise. When we talk about “biggest improvement” we need to remember this isn’t “who got the best players” it’s “who improved the most.” And I think you can squint at the Texans — particularly with their No. 2 overall pick and a QB likely coming — and see a team capable of winning 8+ games if everything breaks right. Adding Noah Brown, Dalton Schultz and Robert Woods (elite blocker, by the way) in the pass game, bringing back Laremy Tunsil and scooping the underrated Devin Singletary to pair with Dameon Pierce … this offense is interesting if they hit on the QB or Davis Mills surprises (don’t write him off yet). Defensively they piled up veterans and if you believe in DeMeco Ryans, it’s reasonable to think this team is a sneaky division contender. 

Caserio told “Payne & Pendergast” on Sports Radio 610 [KILT-AM] on March 20 that the Texans will continue to evaluate players.

“We’ll continue to evaluate players throughout the course of the league, and if there is an opportunity out there that makes sense, then we’ll certainly consider it, which is what we have done here kind of on a yearly basis,” Caserio said.

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Texans sign former Steelers receiver Steven Sims

The Houston Texans have signed former Washington and Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Steven Sims to a one-year contract.

The Houston Texans have added more receiver depth and a kick returner to their veteran laden roster.

Houston signed former Washington and Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Steven Sims to a one-year contract Friday.

According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, the deal has a maximum value of $1.7 million with a $1.5 million base value. $500,000 of that base value is guaranteed.

Sims played in only one game for the Steelers in 2021. The bulk of his work was in 2022 when he recorded 14 catches for 104 yards and carried 13 times for 70 yards. He also averaged 25.5 yards per kickoff return with 5.5 yards per punt return.

While with Washington from 2019-20, Sims averaged 24.6 yards per kickoff return and even scored a touchdown during his 28 games. Sims averaged 6.2 yards per punt return, and caught 61 passes for 575 yards and five touchdowns through 28 games, four of which he started.

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Breaking down the Texans’ one-year contract with C Michael Deiter

Here is a look at the Houston Texans’ one-year contract with center Michael Deiter.

The Houston Texans have shored up their center depth with Michael Deiter.

The former Miami Dolphins 2019 third-rounder started 23 of 57 games for the AFC East club during his four seasons in South Beach.

Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV obtained details of the contract. Deiter signed a one-year deal worth $1.23 million with a $125,000.

Deiter has a base salary of $1.08 million with a $550,000 split salary. Deiter can earn a $27,500 workout bonus with a $1.08 million base salary veteran benefit. Deiter will count $1.092 million against the salary cap.

The former Wisconsin product joins Scott Quessenberry as the only other center on the Texans’ roster. Quessenberry signed a one-year deal to return to Houston.

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Ogbonnia Okoronkwo considered the Texans’ biggest loss in free agency

The Houston Texans’ allowing Ogbonnia Okoronkwo to walk is considered to be their biggest free agency loss.

The Houston Texans have done well to acquire free agent talent.

The Texans fortified their offensive line trading for guard Shaq Mason, added key linebackers with Cory Littleton and Denzel Perryman, provided a lieutenant from DeMeco Ryans’ San Francisco 49ers tenure with safety Jimmie Ward, and gave their new quarterback a target with Dalton Schultz.

According to Brad Spielberger from Pro Football Focus, as well as the Texans have done in free agency, their best player they let get away was defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo.

It’s a bit puzzling as to why Houston didn’t do more to try to keep Okoronkwo, but perhaps they did and he just wanted to go elsewhere. After a slow start heading into the team’s Week 6 bye, Okoronkwo exploded out of the gate from Week 7 on, with his 88.5 pass-rush grade ranking sixth among edge defenders from that point on.

Okoronkwo’s 22.9% pass-rush win rate ranked seventh and his 17.5% pressure percentage ranked eighth among edge defenders over the same span, and he became a starter for the first time in his career in Week 11 without a drop-off in down-to-down efficiency. He may not be a 1,000-snap player, but the value of 500-700 snaps at this level is worth quite a bit, and Cleveland may have landed a steal here.

Defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire said on Dec. 15, 2022, that Okoronkwo brought “pure energy” to the unit.

“He’s energy, pure energy,” said Cesaire. “If you look at him, he’s always got a smile on his face. He loves the game. You can tell he really loves the game. The way he rushes, the way he attacks the line of scrimmage. He’s not the biggest guy on the field, but he’s got the biggest heart. He’s a guy that you trust and rely on each play.”

The Texans have significantly addressed all positions on the roster through the first wave of free agency, save for quarterback, receiver, and defensive end.

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Report: Texans sign former Rams, Raiders, Panthers LB Cory Littleton

The Houston Texans signed former Los Angeles Rams, Las Vegas Raiders, and Carolina Panthers LB Cory Littleton as a one-year contract.

The Houston Texans continue to bolster their linebacking corps.

Along with the signing of Denzel Perryman, and with Christian Harris, Garret Wallow, Christian Kirksey on the roster, the Texans signed Cory Littleton to a one-year contract.

According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, the Texans signed the former Los Angeles Rams, Las Vegas Raiders, and Carolina Panthers linebacker to a one-year deal worth $2.4 million.

Littleton has a $600,000 signing bonus with a $1.3 million salary, and can earn $29,411 per game day activation.

The former 2018 Pro Bowler collected 47 combined tackles, a tackle for loss, two quarterback hits, a half-sack, and two pass breakups through 15 games, seven of which he started for the Panthers last season.

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Breaking down the Texans’ contract with RB Devin Singletary

Here is a look at some of the details from the Houston Texans’ contract with former Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary.

The Houston Texans gave Dameon Pierce a buddy in the backfield with former Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary.

Singletary signed a one-year contract with Houston with a maximum value of $3.75 million.

Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV was able to obtain the details from the contract. The base value of the contract is $2.75 million with a $1 million signing bonus. $2.5 million of the contract is guaranteed with $1.5 million of the salary fully guaranteed.

Singletary caught 38 passes for 280 yards and a touchdown along with carrying 177 times for 819 yards and five touchdowns through 16 games in 2022, all of which he started. The 25-year-old gets a $14,705 per game active roster bonus along with $375,000 incentives plus additional incentives.

Pierce generated 939 yards and four touchdowns on the ground through 13 games last season, all of which he started. Pierce led the Texans with 1,104 scrimmage yards. The next closest running back in terms of scrimmage yards was Red Burkhead with 284.

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Texans LT Laremy Tunsil says GM Nick Caserio is ‘really cooking’ after free agency

Left tackle Laremy Tunsil approves of the moves Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio has made in free agency.

General manager Nick Caserio has had one of the better first wave free agencies for the Houston Texans in recent memory.

The club has all but quarterback, receiver, and edge rusher adequately addressed as Houston is a little over a month away from the 2023 NFL draft.

Some of the key signings and trades for the Texans feature running back Devin Singletary, tight end Dalton Schultz, right guard Shaq Mason, and defensive tackles Hassan Ridgeway and Sheldon Rankins.

While Tunsil was negotiating his own three-year, $75 million extension with the Texans to become the highest-paid tackle in the NFL, the three-time Pro Bowler was also taking inventory of Caserio’s work throughout free agency.

“First and foremost, the free agents that Nick has signed, he’s cooking right now,” Tunsil said March 22 at NRG Stadium. “He’s really cooking. He’s got some great players coming into the locker room to also contribute to the team and help them win.”

Tunsil is also aware of the Texans’ draft capital. With 12 picks total and six picks in the top-103, Houston has the construction materials to complete the rebuild — and Tunsil senses it.

Said Tunsil: “Speaking of the draft, five picks (in the top 75), [12] picks in the draft, the sky in the limit for us. We can really get this organization back on track and get it rolling.”

Returning the Texans as a playoff contender would be right where Tunsil found the Texans in 2019 when the organization gave up a left tackle’s ransom for the former Miami Dolphins 2016 first-round pick. Tunsil knew when he arrived to the reigning AFC South champions, who would repeat as division winners in 2019, that he had found home.

“When I got here in 2019, being embraced by the fans and being embraced by my teammates, coaching staff, I knew that the Houston Texans was going to be home for me,” said Tunsil.

Tunsil and all Texans fans are hopeful what Caserio is cooking is enough to make NRG Stadium a home-field advantage as it was throughout periods of the 2010s.

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