Houston Texans ring of honor – Syndication Server

Texans DC Matt Burke says J.J. Watt ‘is a great football mind’

Houston Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke says former defensive end J.J. Watt “is a great football mind” and will do well for the NFL on CBS.

Matt Burke knows a little bit about J.J. Watt, and isn’t just because the Houston Texans defensive coordinator sees his pictures all around NRG Stadium.

Burke’s last job was Arizona Cardinals defensive line coach, and Watt was one of his players. The 47-year-old spent just one season with the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, but it was enough to know what Watt brought to the game.

The NFL on CBS is curious what Watt can provide as a studio analyst, which is why they inked a multiyear deal with the Texans legend.

“I think he will be great,” Burke told reporters Sept. 7. “I mean, ‘J’ is a great football mind. He cares about the game, he’s passionate about the game and the sport and the league. He’s honestly been successful at everything he’s done in his life. I don’t see that changing.”

Burke admitted that he was not aware of Watt’s specific role, but he expects his collection of experiences and understanding of the game to help him transition from three-point stance to TV studio.

“I think he’s going to be a guy that offers a lot of great insight, and he had a very intellectual approach to his game and how he prepared and how he played, and I think that’s going to serve him well in his next life here,” said Burke.

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How WR Andre Johnson would have helped 2023 Texans

If the Houston Texans had to pick a player from their past and transport him to 2023 to help out, Andre Johnson would be a logical choice.

One of the fun exercises of the NFL offseason is to wonder what former superstars could help their teams in today’s game.

Some teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers have decades worth of players to choose from. Others such as the Houston Texans have barely two decades worth of franchise history, which makes the pickings slim.

Nevertheless the Texans have been able to produce two franchise legends in receiver Andre Johnson (2003-14) and defensive end J.J. Watt (2011-20). Which one could help the Texans in 2023?

According to Sam Monson from Pro Football Focus, Johnson would be able to quickly elevate rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud’s game, and makes sense as the choice.

Johnson often seemed overlooked in favor of other receivers during his career, but he twice led the league in receptions and yards, amassing more than 14,000 receiving yards and 1,000 catches over his career. At his best, he was arguably the best receiver in the game for a stretch despite less-than-elite quarterback play. Houston drafted its quarterback of the future just weeks ago, and giving him Andre Johnson to play with would be a great addition.

Another reason Johnson was the selection was due to stipulations in the PFF exercise wherein picking recently retired players was frowned upon.

Even in the abstract, having Johnson would solidify who is the No. 1 receiver on the roster. Johnson also proved the ability to thrive in a Kyle Shanahan type of system as the majority of his Pro Bowl, All-Pro, and league-leading seasons were during Gary Kubiak’s tenure (2006-13).

The Texans don’t have a Johnson on the roster. However, they do have some options that could potentially blossom in third-rounder Tank Dell and sixth-rounder Xavier Hutchinson. Stroud also has a younger veteran to build connection with in Nico Collins, who embarks upon his third season.

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Former Texans WR Andre Johnson snubbed again from Pro Football Hall of Fame

Former Houston Texans All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson did not make the cut to be a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2023.

The Houston Texans will have to keep waiting to get one of their own — homegrown at that — into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Legendary Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson was not among the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2023, which was announced at the NFL Honors on Thursday night at Symphony Hall in Phoenix, Arizona.

Cornerback Darrelle Revis, left tackle Joe Thomas, outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, linebacker Zach Thomas and cornerback Ronde Barber were among the modern-era inductees.

Johnson played 12 seasons with Houston from 2003-14 and remains the all-time leader in career receptions (1,012), receiving yards (13,597), receiving touchdowns (64) and 100-yard games (51).

He also holds multiple single-game records for the Texans, including most receptions (14), receiving yards (273) and receiving touchdowns (three). Johnson also has the single-season franchise record for receptions with 115 in 2008 and receiving yards with 1,598 in 2012.

The four-time All-Pro selection and seven-time Pro Bowler played in 2015 for the Indianapolis Colts and in 2016 with the Tennessee Titans. He finished his career with 1,062 catches for 14,185 yards and 70 touchdowns.

“He is a legend in every sense of the word, and I will always be grateful for his incredible contributions to our team and the impact he continues to have on our organization and the City of Houston,” chairman and CEO Cal McNair said in a statement on Jan. 4 when Johnson was announced as a finalist. “From the day he became a Texan in 2003, he was the definition of a competitor on the field and a pillar in our community. We will continue to take every opportunity to celebrate Andre’s career and everything he has accomplished.”

Johnson retired with the Texans organization on April 19, 2017, by signing a one-day contract with the team. On Nov. 19, 2017, against the Arizona Cardinals, Johnson was inducted into the Texans Ring of Honor as its inaugural member.

The induction of the class of 2023 will take place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Aug. 5.

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