Tag: Jon Weeks

Texans re-sign long snapper Jon Weeks

The Houston Texans have re-signed long snapper Jon Weeks ahead of 2023 free agency.

One of the unofficial opening ceremonies for the Houston Texans’ free agency has been completed.

The Texans re-signed Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Weeks Thursday.

Weeks, 37, will return to the Texans for his 14th NFL season. The former Baylor Bear caught on with the Texans in 2010 after being out of football for two seasons following his collegiate career. Weeks did have a tryout with the Detroit Lions during rookie minicamp in 2008, but was not signed.

The Glendale Mountain Ridge (Arizona) product has played in 210 games for the Texans, an all-time record. Weeks earned his first Pro Bowl in 2015 when he was part of Texans trio for the NFL’s all-star game.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=1362]

Frank Ross comments on long snapper Jon Weeks’ upcoming 200th career game milestone

Jon Weeks has been a rock for the #Texans’ special teams unit since 2010 and will start his 200th career game at long snapper vs. Tennessee

One underrated contributor on the Houston Texans’ roster this season has been long snapper Jon Weeks, who will mark his 200th game at the position this week against the Tennessee Titans. The milestone drew praise from Texans special teams coordinator Frank Ross at the team’s Thursday press conference, where the seasoned coach remarked on Weeks’ uncanny consistency in the role over the course of the last several years.

“Selfishly, I’m fortunate and lucky to coach that,” Ross explained, “because people like Jon Weeks in our business, in the NFL, have the ability to do it day in and day out, season in season out for an extended period of time for years is difficult. Okay, now we’re talking about 200 games. I’m fortunate to learn from him to have him on or roster where I know week in and week out he’s going to do exactly as asked and work hard every week to do so.

“Talking about 200 games specifically, it’s an achievement that I honestly don’t know how many times that’s happened and the ability that it’s been consecutive is a testament to consistency, every day coming in, showing up, hard work but doing work with intentionality and focus. As you know, once you hit a certain age in life to be able to continue to work on your body and improve your body, becomes more and more challenging and he’s done just that. Excited for him, happy he was able to achieve that. Big goal for him and congrats to Jon.”

Weeks is a consummate pro and has certainly helped keep Houston’s special teams unit on an even keel through all the trials and tribulations the Texans’ have battled through in the last few seasons. He has been with the team since 2010 and has not missed a single game due to injury since he was picked up via free agency after going undrafted in the 2008 draft.

Few players at any position in the NFL boast the consistency that Weeks has shown over the course of his career, and even fewer can say that they have been a member of the same team for more than 10 seasons. As he heads into Sunday’s matchup, Weeks is sure to be reflecting on his successful career.

Texans special teams coach Frank Ross credits LS Jon Weeks for quick snap on fake punt

Houston Texans special teams coordinator Frank Ross says LS Jon Weeks’ quick snap was a key part of pulling off the fake punt in Week 3.

The Houston Texans couldn’t afford to punt.

With the Texans trailing 20-17 with 5:38 to go in the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, Houston needed to keep their drive alive.

However, the punt team was coming onto the field, but it didn’t mean they were going to give up possession so easily. Safety M.J. Stewart, the personal protector in punt formation, took the direct snap for a 3-yard gain on fourth-and-1 from the Houston 46-yard line.

“Anytime we have to find a way to make a play, execution is the number one,” special teams coordinator Frank Ross told reporters Thursday about the play. “You guys know that, whether it’s the end of the game, whether that’s third downs, red zone defense, whether that’s making your kicks when the game is on the line. Midfield territory there and found a way to steal a first down, that was critical.”

According to Ross, what helped the execution of the play was Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Weeks’ ability to fire off a clean, sudden snap directly to Stewart.

“Weeks, great snap, good suddenness execution,” Ross said. “You guys know when it’s in the trenches we talk offensive/defensive line, that surge one side of the ball to the other, that surge was on our end there. That’s what we needed to see.”

The fake allowed Houston to continue their drive, which ended with a 23-yard Ka’imi Fairbairn field goal to tie the game 20-20 with 0:54 to go in the penultimate frame. Houston ultimate lost to Chicago 23-20, falling to 0-2-1 on the season.

What the fake did for the Texans going forward is put on film the fact Houston isn’t afraid to go for it, whether by hook or by crook, which is what the Los Angeles Chargers will have to be mindful of in Week 4 at NRG Stadium.

[listicle id=77119]

Texasn re-sign Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Weeks

The Houston Texans have re-signed Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Weeks.

When it works, why change?

According to Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Texans are re-signing Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Weeks to a 13th season.

Weeks has played the most games in Texans history with 193. Houston signed the former Baylor Bear in 2010, and he has not missed a game since Sept. 12, 2010.

After his collegiate career, Weeks had a tryout with the Detroit Lions in 2008 during rookie minicamp. However, he was not signed to the team. The former Glendale (Ariz.) Mountain Ridge product remained out of football for the 2008 and 2009 seasons before getting another shot with the Texans ahead of their 2010 rookie minicamp.

In 2015, Weeks made the Pro Bowl after the Texans’ 9-7 season that resulted in the club’s third AFC South title.

Weeks turned 36 years old on Feb. 17, and has 26 combined tackles for his career with one fumble recovery.

Texans re-sign Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Weeks to 1-year contract

The Houston Texans have brought back Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Weeks on a one-year contract.

The Houston Texans have solidified their long snapper position as free agency winds down.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans have re-signed Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Weeks to a 1-year contract. The deal is worth $1.075 million and has a $137,500 signing bonus and veteran minimum salary benefit.

Weeks has played the most games in Texans history with 176. In that span, he has collected 24 combined tackles and a fumble recovery. He has never had a bad snap since joining the Texans in 2010.

“I think to me that’s just I guess dedication to detail,” Weeks told reporters on Nov. 18, 2020. “Just making sure that I’m as detailed and prepared as possible. I probably take a lot of snaps on Sunday. I probably take a lot more snaps on the side than other snappers probably. That’s just because I like to make sure that I’m comfortable, everything’s feeling good and that I’m paying attention to detail with my grip, my hand placement, my stance and all that kind of stuff. Attention to detail probably has been a big part of why I’ve been able to stay so successful.”

Weeks played college ball at Baylor and went undrafted in 2008. The Detroit Lions gave him a tryout after the NFL draft, but he remained unsigned. The Texans similarly gave him a tryout in April of 2010 and he has been with Houston ever since, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2015.

Texans could bring back long snapper Jon Weeks

The Houston Texans could solve their long snapper problem by bringing back Jon Weeks.

New general manager Nick Caserio signed every player under the sun in 2021 NFL free agency, but somehow the Houston Texans don’t have a long snapper on the roster.

After reports of the club allowing Pro Bowler Jon Weeks to walk, and then cutting his replacement, Anthony Kukwa, the Texans are expected to re-sign the former Baylor Bear, according to Mark Berman of Fox 26 [KRIV-TV].

Weeks is the franchise record holder for games played with 176. While the Texans have had many faces of the franchise since their 2002 inaugural season, no one has played more games for Houston since than Weeks, whose journey with the Texans began in 2010.

One of the reasons for Weeks’ longevity in the NFL is due to his ability to learn from proven veterans at the position.

“It started early with basically just picking the brain of every veteran that I could pick the brain of,” Weeks told reporters on Nov. 18, 2020. “Finding out not only how they handle themselves on and off the field, how they took care of their bodies, specific things that they did that made them feel good for Sundays and that kind of stuff. So, I really tried to take advantage of that when I was younger.

“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve tried to find the things that I particularly think work for me, and I’ve tried to stay on top of those specific things. Really, it just came down to kind of learning when I was in the position to learn and then just finding what works for me and continuing to stay on top of it.”

If the Texans bring back Weeks, they get a known commodity in a specialist who has produced clean snaps his entire career. Given that the Texans are looking for every advantage in 2021, they will need to ensure their special teams operation is top notch.

Texans plan to let long snapper Jon Weeks walk in free agency

The Houston Texans will allow long snapper Jon Weeks go in free agency.

The Houston Texans are changing the operations with their special teams.

According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans have informed long snapper Jon Weeks that they will not re-sign him, making him a free agent when the new league year begins on March 17.

What is perplexing about the move is Weeks had not sustained a bad snap in his 11 seasons with the team. Furthermore, Weeks is atop franchise annals with most games played with 176, and at age 35, he still has some great years ahead of him as a long snapper.

Nevertheless, the Texans plan to move on from Weeks. Houston already has a long snapper signed to a reserve/future contract in Anthony Kukwa, who is 28 years old and went undrafted from Lake Erie in 2017. Kukwa was with the Oakland Raiders in their 2017 offseason program, and later spent the 2018 offseason with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Jon Weeks set to make Texans history against the Patriots

Houston Texans long snapper Jon Weeks will make franchise history against the New England Patriots in Week 11.

Long snapper Jon Weeks will set the Houston Texans’ record for most games played with 170.

Currently, the former Pro Bowler is tied with Ring of Honor member Andre Johnson at 169.

On Sunday against the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium, when the Texans go to field goal or punt formation, Weeks will have played in his 170th game, and perhaps the most impressive part is he has never had a bad snap.

“It’s something that I pride myself on just like every other guy at their positions,” Weeks said. “I like to be incredibly detailed and I like to make sure I’m prepared.”

The former 2008 undrafted free agent from Baylor prepares constantly throughout the week, utilizing as much free time as possible to perform his one job of long snapping to the best of his abilities.

“When I get into the games on Sunday, I’ve kind of given myself everything that I could possibly be ready for,” said Weeks.

Part of what has helped him have clean snaps throughout his past 169 games has been the various situations his special teams coaches have put him through during practice each week. There are hardly any situations where Weeks is operating without a guide on how to proceed during the game.

Said Weeks: “We’re more prepared on Sunday because we’ve seen all the good looks. Our rush teams, our scout team guys give great effort on special teams. My preparation and then the work that my guys give me on my punt rushes and the looks and that kind of stuff make me comfortable on Sunday to where I just have to go out and do my job.”

The pathway to being the franchise record holder in games played was not easy for Weeks. In 2008, he had a tryout with the Detroit Lions during rookie minicamp. However, he did not make the team, and he was out of football entirely for the 2008-09 seasons.

When Weeks got his chance with the Texans in 2010 shortly before their organized team activities, the Glendale (Arizona) Mountain Ridge product tried to absorb as much information as possible about long snapping.

“It started early with basically just picking the brain of every veteran that I could pick the brain of,” Weeks said. “Finding out not only how they handle themselves on and off the field, how they took care of their bodies, specific things that they did that made them feel good for Sundays and that kind of stuff. So, I really tried to take advantage of that when I was younger.”

Weeks already holds the franchise record for most consecutive games played with 165.

[listicle id=56181]

Texans long snapper Jon Weeks bought Whataburger lunches for Houston first responders

Houston Texans long snapper Jon Weeks bought lunches for Houston Emergency Center employees and also delivered lunches to fire stations.

Arguably the most essential player on a field goal or punt formation play is the long snapper. Without a clean snap, the success for points or better field position drops substantially.

Just as Jon Weeks helps the Houston Texans’ special teams add points or better field position, so did the long snapper play a critical part for Houston area first responders on March 31.

According to a video posted on Twitter, the 2015 Pro Bowl long snapper bought lunches for Houston Emergency Center employees and also several Houston fire stations on Tuesday.

Weeks expressed his appreciation for the first responders.

“Thank you for everything you guys are doing,” Week said. “Thank you for being on the front lines and making the ultimate sacrifice. We appreciate everything you guys are doing. We hope you guys can enjoy lunch on the Weeks family.”

The former undrafted free agent from Baylor in 2008 signed a one-year contract worth a little over $1 million in the 2020 offseason. A portion of that contract has now gone to helping heroes on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19.

[vertical-gallery id=47435]