Though they have the options to bring back Mario Edwards or Foley Fatukasi, the expectation is that both players will hit free agency and not re-sign with team before the new league year begins on March 12. The Texans think they can improve in that area. They’ll likely have at least two new players to pair with Tim Settle Jr. One could come via the draft and the other in free agency. One name to watch in free agency, two league sources told the Chronicle, is Sheldon Rankins, who became a free agent after the Bengals released him last month. Rankins spent a year with the Texans in 2023 before signing with Cincinnati. It’s possible a reunion occurs. Other names to watch include fellow Bengals defensive tackle B.J. Hill and Broncos defensive tackle D.J. Jones. The sense I get is the Texans will keep the door open for Edwards or Fatukasi, but neither will be prioritized. There was a report over the weekend that the Texans could be major players for 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel. It’s my understanding that the Texans' interest was minimal. They inquired about Samuel and the potential costs to acquire him but didn’t necessarily pursue him. Having said that, a league source told me the Texans are in the market for a veteran wide receiver to go alongside Nico Collins, who has proven to be Wide Receiver 1. Whom they’ll pursue is less certain. The Texans are keeping their options open and not locked in on any one player, the source said. As for Stefon Diggs, expect the Texans to allow Diggs to test the market. The door will remain open for him to return, as Caserio and Ryans have both indicated, but it’d likely have to be at the right price for them. The offensive line is another top priority. I expect the Texans will sign at least two new guards. One could come in free agency and the other in the draft. One will likely be a starter at left guard, and the other will compete for a starting spot at right guard. While the Texans could save nearly $9 million in cap space after free-agency by cutting right guard Shaq Mason and designating him a post-June 1 cut, I don’t expect the Texans to move on from him. But for now, I see the Texans keeping Mason through free agency. Is Jon Weeks' time as a Texan coming to an end? There haven’t been many talks between Caserio and Weeks' representation about a reunion, a league source told the Chronicle, though Caserio is also known for making last-minute calls and getting deals done. The Texans signed long snapper Tucker Addington to a future/reserves deal last month, meaning he’ll compete for a spot in training camp. Addington was most recently on the Miami Dolphins' roster before finishing the season on the Jaguars' practice squad. He’s also 27. What’s clear is the Texans haven’t prioritized Weeks, otherwise they would have signed him by now to a one-year deal. And Weeks, 39, who wants to continue to play, figures to have suitors elsewhere. It’s also possible the Texans don’t sign Weeks in the first few weeks of free agency, allow him to test the market, and he returns in the summer to compete for a roster spot in August. League sources expect Stingley to become one of the top-three highest paid cornerbacks in the NFL, if not the highest. But the Texans aren’t desperate for a deal right away. The Texans are not expected to pick up the fifth-year option on offensive lineman Kenyon Green’s deal, which would be $17.5 million. The deadline for fifth-year options is May 2. Talks with nickel corner Jalen Pitre, who will enter a contract year next season, are expected to begin after free agency, too, a league source said. Because Pitre was drafted in the second-round in 2022, he’s not eligible for the fifth-year option. He suffered a season-ending pectoral muscle injury against the Titans on Nov. 24 and missed the final five games after electing to have surgery. That same source said Pitre is ahead of schedule on his pursuit back to the field, but likely wouldn’t participate in voluntary OTA’s as he continues to rehab in the building
[Schefter] Cowboys and DT Osa Odighizuwa reached agreement today on a four-year, $80 million deal that includes $58 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus.
