Tag: 2024 Texans

NRG Stadium suffers damage as Hurricane Beryl runs through Houston

NRG Stadium might be under construction for the next several weeks following the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl

The Houston Texans have just over two months to prepare for Week 2’s home opener against the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football.

Perhaps that is a good thing since NRG Stadium is in need of repairs.

Hurricane Beyal made landfall early Monday morning, torching its way throughout the city with winds reaching up to 80 mph. The damage left over two million residents without power and roads covered in debris and flood damage.

The wreckage wasn’t limited to homes, highways and recreational parks, as photos surfaced Tuesday showing multiple holes in the stadium’s retractable roof.

“Like many of our neighbors in the Gulf Coast region, NRG Park sustained damage from Hurricane Beryl, including to the roof of NRG Stadium,” NRG Park CEO and executive director Ryan M. Walsh said in a statement released Tuesday. “(Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation) officials are collaborating with state, county and city officials to assist with recovery efforts throughout the region.

“While we assist with these efforts, we are also assessing the extent of damages to NRG Park facilities. We look forward to seeing our neighbors at NRG Park as soon as we return to normal operations.”

Monday isn’t the first time the roof of NRG Stadium has been impacted by severe weather since opening in 2002. In 2008, Hurricane Ike tore off five roof panels, forcing Houston to reschedule its matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals to October.

The results also caused $5 million worth of property damage.

One panel will take time to fix, but it shouldn’t interfere with the home opener on September 15. Houston also has two preseason road games to kickstart the year, so there’ll be time to patch up the major holes before the team returns to take on the New York Giants on August 17.

While the Texans will practice next door in the iconic indoor bubble, other events are planned from now until August 17 and could be postponed for a later date. The stadium is scheduled to host Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from July 19-21. After that, Zach Bryan’s concert is scheduled for July 27.

The Texans return for the start of training camp on July 18.

Texans legend J.J. Watt still looks in playing shape after posting new photo

Former Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt isn’t helping silence the rumors that he could return in 2024.

J.J. Watt might be retired, but the former Houston Texans legend still looks like he could strap on a helmet and play tomorrow if DeMeco Ryans were to call.

Monday’s recent post on social media won’t extinguish the rumors that a return for the future Hall of Famer isn’t off the table either.

Watt, one of the league’s most feared defenders of the past decade, posted a workout photo to his X account with the caption: “progress.”

Naturally, Texans fans couldn’t contain their excitement to see the word, thus leading to speculation that the former five-time All-Pro could return to the reigning AFC South champions for one last run before actually calling it a career.

Multiple Texans fans commented, asking for an update on when he’d be signing. Another asked him if he would be on the roster before the Week 11 deadline just to give Houston that extra oomph for a playoff run.

So, could Watt return in 2024?

The image has reasons to create speculation. Still only 35, Watt told reporters during his annual charity softball game earlier this offseason that he’d return to the Texans only out of necessity.

“I’m very thankful to have walked away healthy, playing great,” Watt said  “I told DeMeco last year: I said, ‘Don’t call unless you absolutely need it. But if you ever do call, I’ll be there.’ This is the last year I’ll tell him that, because I’m not going to keep training the way I’ve been training.”

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year shocked the NFL world following the 2022 season when he announced his retirement at only 33.

Watt was technically at the peak of his game when he called it a career, finishing with 12.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss and seven pass deflections in his final year with the Arizona Cardinals.

Perhaps the most dominant pass rusher of the 2010s, Watt’s 114.5 career sacks rank 34th in NFL history. He’s also one of four players in pro football history to post three or more seasons with at least 17.5 sacks.

It’s not uncommon to see players come back for a swan song in the playoffs before officially hanging up the cleats. In the 2021 season, safety Eric Weddle joined the Los Angeles Rams for a postseason run that ended with a Super Bowl victory.

 

Right now, it still feels like a pipe dream for both sides. Watt seems poised to turn in his helmet for a microphone as he’ll join the media world with CBS Sports’ “The NFL Today” this fall.

Houston, which clinched its first division title since 2019 behind new franchise defensive end Will Anderson Jr., recently signed veteran Jerry Hughes. The Texans also re-signed Derek Barnett earlier this offseason to a one-year deal and agreed to terms with four-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter.

Watt seems content looking like a bodybuilder away from the football field, but pictures like that won’t squelch the rumor mill.

Still, it never hurts to stay in shape just in case, right?

Sports Illustrated makes bold prediction for Houston Texans’ 2024 season

While the Houston Texans were aggressive this offseason in adding talent, one publication thinks another 10-7 is on the horizon.

It’s the offseason, meaning bold predictions are running amok. Some are lukewarm at best. Others feel like they’re so far out of context that it’s laughable at best.

Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr recently shared his 100 bold predictions for the 2024 NFL season, with each team mentioned at least once. They ranged from Caleb Williams finishing with more touchdown passes as a rookie than Peyton Manning to a coach being traded to a franchise this offseason.

As for the Houston Texans? Orr thinks the defending AFC South champions will remain competitive under DeMeco Ryans in Year 2, but they won’t improve their 10-7 win total from last season.

This is my first truly hot take of this piece. I am very excited to argue with a still-nascent fan base that just logged onto football for the first time in four years in 2024 to fight about how I don’t understand the game (true, I’ll admit it), or that I’m irrelevant and my predictions don’t matter (also true!) or that I’m the same clown who loudly projected the Patriots would win the AFC East last year (how am I still working?). I love the Texans, but their schedule rips this year and it’s going to be hard to replicate previous success even through the clear and obvious upgrades they made this offseason. This is not an anti–C.J. Stroud or DeMeco Ryans take. It is a pro-parity take, though, and when a team upshifts into a schedule that, after Week 7, becomes a bit of a minefield, there’s no telling what might happen.

It’s not that Orr thinks Houston will regress. He still thinks double-digit wins are on the table as Stroud builds on his historic Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign.

But an improved record doesn’t necessarily mean a better franchise. The Texans played a fourth-place schedule and faced off against the NFC South as their NFC counterpart en route to the first division title in four years.

The four franchises combined to go 27-41 overall, while Houston also dropped games to Cleveland and Baltimore during the regular season. And sure, while the Texans managed to two of the league’s top passers, they also collapsed in MetLife Stadium against the Zach Wilson-led Jets and Carolina amid a 2-15 season.

Houston is trading out matchups with the NFC South for the NFC North this year. Chicago and Minnesota look improved following free agency and the draft. Green Bay seems to have its franchise quarterback in Jordan Love after his breakout season. And remember that Detriot was a handful of plays away from making the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.

The Texans also take on the AFC East instead of the North. That division features a three-headed monster atop it with Miami, New York and Buffalo. And given that Houston fell apart on the road against a rookie passer on a lackluster squad, dropping a game against New England isn’t far-fetched.

Yes, the Texans are still a playoff team despite upgrading their level of competition, but Orr isn’t wrong to think talks of a 13-win season feel extreme for the time being. The good news is someone will be incorrect at the end of the year.

Will it be Orr? The Texans start their quest to 11-plus wins once training camp begins on July 18.

Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. praises Commanders’ hiring of Dylan Thompson

In an exclusive interview with Texans Wire, Will Anderson Jr. gave high praise to the Washington Commanders for hiring former Texans’ director of team development Dylan Thompson

When general manager Adam Peters hired Dylan Thompson away from the Houston Texans for a similar role with the Washington Commanders, he knew he was getting more than just an exceptional employee.

Thompson, who spent three seasons as the Texans’ director of team development, now looks to be the voice of maturity for young players in D.C., like Heisman winner Jayden Daniels and former first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes.

But Thompson was more than just a member of the Texans’ staff. He was a role model and leader who taught the next crop of young talent to better themselves in the pros.

Will Anderson Jr., the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, personally doesn’t know where he’d be career-wise entering his second season with Thompson’s guidance.

“You see me, there is no Will Anderson without Dylan Thompson, man,” Anderson told Texans Wire in an exclusive interview. “He took our whole rookie class, C.J. [Stroud] can attest to the same thing. He’ll say the same thing. Tank [Dell] would say the same thing. He helped this rookie class be able to do so many great things on and off the field.”

Anderson, who broke J.J. Watt’s rookie sack record en route to helping Houston clinch its first division title in four years, credits Thompson more for his off-the-field pep talks than on-field encouragement.

Anderson and Stroud each have pointed to their faith as inspiration on and off the field. Thompson invested in the young Texans’ players with bible study and focus on life away from the sport.

“For him, it was always just bigger than the football. He was like, ‘I can really care less about the football Will. I just want to know the person, the human Will. Like, who are you outside of football? ‘” Anderson said. “Spiritually, he was great. Like, he connected us even more with God, taught us how to be great leaders, how to change our mindset things like that.”

In his new role, Thompson will oversee all players, specifically first and second-year prospects, as they acclimate to the NFL. A former college quarterback at South Carolina who spent time with the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams following graduation, Thompson knows the struggles of transition from college practice to NFL days.

Stroud, who won Offensive Rookie of the Year after breaking every rookie quarterback record in franchise history, credited Thompson for his growth externally in Year 1.

“You talk about a brother like to somebody who loves you no matter what happens on that field, you can feel that,” Stroud said earlier this offseason. “I just appreciate that and now he’s going to be mad at me, but, man, he’s a great person, and really one of the reasons why I feel like we were very successful this year.”

Texans GM Nick Caserio talks DeMeco Ryans’ hiring, expectations in Year 2

It’s hard to believe just 16 months ago DeMeco Ryans was hired and Texans GM Nick Caserio detailed went into the process of his hiring

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio some gave insight into the decision to hire DeMeco Ryans as head coach ahead of Year 2. 

Caserio, who appeared on FanDuel’s Up & Adams earlier this week, played a role in securing talent to build off three failed seasons in Houston that ended with coaches being shown the door. 

Ryans, a former second-round pick and Pro Bowl linebacker for the AFC South franchise, served as the architect when placing the pieces in the correct order to win a division title for the time in four years.

 

“I can’t say enough great things about him,” Caserio said. “He’s one of the best coaches in the league, and we’re very fortunate to have, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work with him every day.”

Houston finished 10-7 and won the AFC South crown, making Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud the fifth rookie head coach and quarterback duo to win the division. The Texans them thumped the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card round for their first playoff victory since the days of Bill O’Brien.

Anyone who predicted those results from Houston after a 3-14-1 finish must have had Doc Brown’s DeLorean or a Texans’ super fan hat on.  After blowing a 24-0 lead to Patrick Mahomes on the road in Arrowhead, the Texans finished with a combined 7-26-1 leading up to 2023.  

“We just needed a little bit of a jolt, and we were looking for the right person,” Caserio said. “Football, in the end, is a people business, and we can talk about schemes, but you need somebody that can galvanize an entire group of people.”

Ryans previously spent six seasons in San Francisco, including his final two seasons when he served as defensive coordinator. The 49ers defense was in the top 10 in points allowed both years under Ryans, peaking as the lowest-scoring defense in 2022. 

“When you look at players’ performance in San Francisco, I would say he had a huge hand in developing Fred (Warner), Dre (Greenlaw) and Azeez (Al-Shaair),” Caserio said. “When you look at how his defenses played in San Francisco, they played with energy and fast and ferociously.”

While most NFL franchises were hiring offensive-minded coaches, Caserio took a different approach after firing Lovie Smith, though Ryans’ past times with the organization didn’t factor into the decision. 

“DeMeco and I really didn’t know each other besides knowing of each other. He’s such a great human being,” Caserio said. “He’s a great person and very genuine and sincere, and he is who he is. His energy and juice are on a consistent basis.”

A change of energy emmerged when Ryans arrived back to NRG Stadium for the first time since 2012.  Fans got their wish as the inngural defensive standout signed on the dotted line to coach for the team that drafted him in 2006.

During Ryans’ six-year stint in Houston, he was a first-team All-Pro linebacker (2007) and two-time Pro Bowler.  He spent three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before retiring in 2015, but immedietly transitioned into coach the following offseason. 

“When you can put yourself in the player’s shoes when you’re talking to the team and understanding that they’re looking at the coach and understanding he sat in that chair and has grown through some of that stuff, then it makes it easier for a player to do the things we ask of them,” Caserio said. 

Ryans won the Pro Football Writers of America’s Coach of the Year and finished one first-place vote behind Cleveland’s Kevin Stefanski for the honor of the Associated Press’ honors. 

Caserio took a plenty of heat for firing coaches after hiring one-and-done coaching staffs in back-to-back years. National media outlets pointed to the Texans’ record with Caserio as GM, and if Ryans had not produced the way he did in year one, it might have led to Caserio’s time ending in Houston.

Caserio admitted to learning from his mistakes. Smith’s firing was a wake-up call that change was needed in his approach to hiring coaches.

That led to arrival of Ryans. So far, it’s been the right move.

“You try to learn the best you can on a year-to-year basis,” Caserio said. “You have to make difficult decisions, but ultimately try to do what’s best for the organization as a whole.”

Rookie Kamari Lassiter carving out prominent role with Texans in OTAs

Entering June, Houston Texans rookie Kamari Lassiter has seen plenty of reps at both the nickel and boundary cornerback spot.

The Houston Texans expect second-round pick Kamari Lassiter to be a fixture of the secondary during his rookie season, but his home remains a mystery.

Will the Georgia product start in the nickel like most expect?

Will he transition to the boundary full-time like he did after his freshman campaign in Athens?

All that will be determined down the line, but at least Lassiter is carving out first-team reps to close out voluntary OTAs.

During 7-on-7 drills, Lassiter worked the starts opposite Derek Stingley Jr. on the boundary. He broke up a pass intended for second-year starter Tank Dell and looked fluid when asked to cover Noah Brown and Robert Woods.

The hope is Lassiter will remain a staple throughout his Texans’ tenure. If he starts on the outside, perhaps that leads to a shift down for safety Jimmie Ward or Jalen Pitre should third-round pick Calen Bullock prove to be ready for full-time snaps.

But Lassiter has competition on the outside. Houston added former first-rounders C.J. Henderson and Jeff Okudah due to their success in man coverage.

Albeit Houston is their third stop in five seasons, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans assured both former top 10 picks that arriving in his defense would serve as a clean state.

Just because it’s a fresh start does not mean Ryans will send either player out with the starters come Week 1 on the road against the Indianapolis Colts. Consistency in practice warrants starting reps on gameday, as evident by Dell’s emergence starting in Week 3’s win over Jacksonville.

Defensive coordinator Matt Burke likes how Lassiter’s position versatility can open up the unit depending on matchups. He’s not ready to decide what best fits the former All-SEC corner yet, so getting him exposure in both spots feels like a no-brainer.

“A little bit is going to be how much he can absorb,” Burke said Thursday following practice. “He’s just a really smart football player and grasps things pretty well.”

Breaking down Texans WR Nico Collins new three-year extension

Here’s how Nico Collins’ contract works going into his new three-year, $72.5 million extension with the Houston Texans.

Nico Collins is a newly-paid man and the long-term No. 1 receiver in the Houston Texans’  offense. Good, it’s just what the AFC South champions need to build off a promising first season under C.J. Stroud. 

How much will Collins make annually on the current three-year, $72.5 million extension? Well, each season differs based on the salary cap. 

According to KPRC2 Sports‘ Aaron Wilson, Collins will earn a base salary of $1.61 million (guaranteed for skill, injury and salary cap) in 2024 in the final year of his rookie contract. In 2025, that number will expand to $13.5 million and then $20 million in 2026 ($10 million of which is fully guaranteed) In 2027, Collins will make $21.25 million in nong-uaranteed and $10 million more fully guaranteed than his deal in 2026. 

Collins, who last season joined Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins as the only Texans’ player with 1,200 receiving yards in a single season, can earn up to $75 million in incentives. According to Wilson, here’s how the deal will transpire to meet each benchmark: 

  • $250,000 for Pro Bowl selection
  • $250,000 for 95 or more catches
  • $250,000 for 1,460 receiving yards.

A third-round pick out of Michigan in 2021, Collins lived up to the billing as Stroud’s go-to target, hauling in 80 passes for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns. In three seasons, Collins has 150 catches for 2,224 yards and 11 touchdowns.

With the deal finalized, Collins becomes the eighth-highest paid wide receiver in the league in annual compensation, trailing Eagles’ DeVonta Smith ($25 million) while ranking ahead of Seahawks’ D.K Metcalf ($24 million). On Thursday, the Miami Dolphins agreed to terms on a three-year, $84.7 million extension with Jaylen Waddle, $76 million of which is guaranteed. 

The Texans are betting on Collins’ promise moving forward and believe he can live up to the billing as the new No. 1 in an offense that features four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs, reliable tight end Dalton Schultz, Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon and breakout rookie Tank Dell. 

Diggs, who the Texans traded for this offseason from the Bills in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick, is the only player not under contract through 2026 after Schultz (three-year, $36 million) and Mixon (three-year, $27 million) agreed to extensions earlier this offseason.

Texans WR Nico Collins agrees to 3-year, $72.75M extension

Nico Collins broke out last season for the Houston Texans and now is being rewarded with a massive extension before the start of mandatory camp.

The Houston Texans have locked up Nico Collins for the long haul.

Collins, Houston’s breakout wide receiver from the 2023 AFC South-winning season, agreed to terms on a three-year, $72.75 million extension that includes $52 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports.

The contract has a maximum value of $75 million should Collins meet the incentives before the deal expires in 2027. The former third-round pick when entering the final year of rookie contract and was expected to remain in Huston for the long haul.

The star acquisition of Nick Caserio’s first draft with the Texans in 2021, Collins proved his value as a No. 1 receiver last season en route to helping C.J. Stroud win Offensive Rookie of the Year. In 15 games, Collins hauled in 80 receptions for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns.

Earlier this offseason, Caserio said the two sides were expected to begin negotiations for a long-term deal, though those discussions would come after free agency and the NFL draft.

“That’s coming. That could be a player that maybe he’s a part of the future. You’re dealing with the present,” Caserio said during the NFL Scouting Combine in March. “You’re focused on the short-term, but part of our responsibility is to kind of think ahead a little bit and just try to make good sound decisions for the team and the organization.”

Collins, who in three seasons has caught 150 passes for 2,224 yards and 11 touchdowns, told KPC2 Sports earlier this month he’d love to remain in Houston past 2024 and remain a vital asset to what looks to be a promising future at NRG Stadium.

“That’s everybody’s dream. To hear that from Nick, man, it means a lot,” Collins said. “For me, I just got to continue to keep my head down. Continue to work on my game, continue to improve every day and continue to chase my end goal.”

Even though a long-term deal was expected between the two sides, other extensions factored into negotiations for the Michigan product. Collins was one of several pass-catchers to receive an extension, joining other breakout stars like Philadelphia’s Devonta Smith, Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown and Indianapolis’ Michael Pittman Jr.

Eagles’ top target A.J. Brown (three-year, $96 million) and Buccaneers’ long-term No. 1 receiver Mike Evans (two-year, $52 million) also received deals, though neither player was expected to leave their respective teams unless it was by trade.

While Houston must strike a long-term deal with four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs, its offense looks poised to remain one of the league’s best past 2024. Collins will remain the top target for Stroud in an offense featuring Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon, tight end Dalton Schultz, and breakout rookie receiver Tank Dell.

Mixon, whom the Texans traded for earlier this offseason, and Schultz, each agreed to three-year extensions earlier this offseason. Both will be under contract through at least 2026, the same year Stroud will be eligible for what’s expected to be a mega-extension.

Texans excited to see newly acquired WR Ben Skowronek in action

The Texans are ready to see Los Angeles Rams receiver Ben Skowronek make a name for himself during OTAs next week off NRG Drive.

Why did the Houston Texans trade for Los Angeles Rams receiver Ben Skowronek?

The better question is, why weren’t more teams calling to get a deal done?  

Houston realized that adding a special teams standout like Skowronek would be challenging after it was initially reported that Los Angeles would release the third-year receiver entering a contract year. With an 11-8 record and fresh off an AFC South title, the Texans would be miles down the pecking order in the waiver wire. 

Much like with the trade for Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon, Houston shipped off a late-round pick — a 2026 sixth-round draft pick — to acquire Skowronek and a 2026 seventh-round selection. And if anyone has a clear vision for the pass-catcher’s role down at NRG Stadium, it’s Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, who watched him carve out reps while out west with the San Francisco 49ers. 

“With the trade there, we’re excited to add more depth to our wide receiver position and more competition,” Ryans said Friday. “Ben is a tough player. I’ve played against him a [of] couple times, and he’s a true competitor. He plays the game the right way, so I’m excited to add his physicality and his playmaking ability to our team.”

Drafted in the seventh round out of Notre Dame, Skowronek should provide value on kickoffs, punts and as a blocker in the return game. Last season, he served as the Rams’ special teams captain, as voted on by teammates and played a career-high 71% of the snaps in the kicking game.

Most of Skowronek’s reps will likely come on special teams should he make the final 53-man roster, but he does offer value as a fill-in starter. In 2022, the 6-foot-3 target caught a career-best 39 passes for 376 yards. 

Since entering the league, Skowronek’s totaled  575 receiving yards and one touchdown. While Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Stefon Diggs and John Metchie III are all expected significant reps, Skowronek should compete for the No. 5 receiver spot with Robert Woods, Noah Brown, Xavier Hutchinson and Steven Sims, among others. 

The Texans return to practice for the start of mandatory workouts on May 20. 

Texans sign rookie RB Jawhar Jordan

Former Louisville running back and sixth round pick Jawhar Jordan agreed to his rookie contract with the Houston Texans on Thursday

Before the Houston Texans begin their two-day rookie minicamp, six of their nine players selected in last month’s draft have agreed to their rookie contracts, including their speedy tailback 

The Texans and running back Jawhar Jordan agreed to terms on a four-year deal worth $4.185 million that includes a $165,436 signing bonus, according to KPRC2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson. Jordan, the No.205 pick, should compete for resp on special teams and serve as the No. 3 rusher entering training camp. 

Jordan, 24, started his college career at Syracuse University before transferring to Louisville for the final three years. In the last two seasons, he had 323 rushing attempts for 1,943 yards and 17 touchdowns. Jordan’s 13 rushing touchdowns last year led the ACC.

The versatile back joins a room composed of Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale and Gerrid Doaks. 

“I think my game is versatile. I’m a strong runner. I see the holes well. I’ve got speed, too, and a little bit of wiggle. Once I get the ball in my hand, I’m a threat,” Jordan said after being drafted. 

Houston’s run game lacked explosiveness a year ago, with its longest rush being 24 yards. At 5-foot-9 and 193 pounds, Jordan provides a change of pace from the bruising running styles of Mixon and Pierce.

Jordan had 15 rushes for 15 yards or more yards in his final year at Louisville.

“We really like the juice that he has out of the backfield,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Think he can make plays with tremendous speed. We’re looking to add some speed to our backfield. We think he provides that for us. He also provides some special teams value, as well, as a returner. Really excited about the role that he’s shown that he was able to do at Louisville, and excited about seeing him come in and compete here.””