The Houston Texans re-signed tight end Darren Fells to a two-year, $7 million contract on Tuesday.
After producing career highs with 34 catches for 341 yards and seven touchdowns, which were tied with All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins for the most on the team, the Texans decided to bring back the 33-year-old who tried his hand at pro basketball before turning to the NFL in 2013.
Football is about the quarterback, and the reason the Texans retained Fells’ services is because of how he aided Deshaun Watson.
“It makes my job a lot easier,” Watson said of Fells on Dec. 4, 2019. “He’s a guy, basketball guy, big hands, and just a guy that’s been working his tail off ever since he got here. He’s a great teammate, great person and he just loves to work, he loves to win, he loves to have fun and just hearing his story and where he comes from and the way he got here, it’s very special.”
The Texans signed Fells in the 2019 offseason as an insurance policy of sorts. Houston already had two former 2018 draft picks in Jordan Thomas and Jordan Akins, and veteran Ryan Griffin was still on the roster. The Texans later drafted Kahale Warring in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft and released Griffin, but it was still a crowded tight end room.
Fells distinguished himself on the field with his work ethic and determination throughout offseason workouts and training camp.
“You can tell that’s why he’s having a great year because he stuck through it, he kept working and he has that faith that he’s going to continue to improve and strive to get better,” said Watson.
Now, the Texans will have at least two more years of Fells providing a reliable target for Watson. If Fells can continue to be a big red zone threat, Houston’s offense will retain yet another dangerous element.