Inside linebacker Zach Cunningham is in the final year of his contract, and that is simply the only season he is focusing on.
The former 2017 second-round pick from Vanderbilt was a Pro Bowl alternate last year, collecting 142 tackles. The Texans would prefer to have the 6-3, 238-pound linebacker for many seasons to come.
“My approach, right now, is just letting my agent handle all the talks and stuff and the dealings behind the scenes,” Cunningham said. “I’m really just more focused on the season, trying to play the season out, doing my best I can for the season.”
Cunningham is represented by Athletes First, which also represents quarterback Deshaun Watson.
When the Pinson, Alabama, product arrived in the NFL, he played 16 games for Houston, starting in 13 of them, and recording 90 tackles, five tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, six pass breakups, and a forced fumble. Cunningham followed up that rookie year with 107 tackles, three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, five pass breakups, and an interception returned for a 38-yard touchdown.
Cunningham was snubbed for the Pro Bowl, even though his 142 tackles were the most in the AFC. The 2.0 sacks, seven tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries didn’t provide enough splash plays to impact fan voting at the position.
“I definitely think, like a lot of people, when I go back and watch film there’s a lot of plays that I left out there that I could’ve made,” said Cunningham. “I definitely feel like there’s more plays I could’ve made in pass coverage and also in the running game. That’s the things I’m working on improving for this season.”
Cunningham will team up alongside Pro Bowler Benardrick McKinney at inside linebacker in first-year defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s 3-4 defense. If Cunningham is able to earn that elusive Pro Bowl while helping Houston retain its AFC South title, earning that second contract from the Texans should be no sweat.
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