Players signed to those type of deals rarely - IF EVER - live up to that kind of $$$$. Plus IIRC Trey got ate up by Eagles pass rush, BUT still did better than the Texans' IOL... hey yo!
The greedy, selfish bastards are the ones who demand peak value for long term contracts they are unlikely to fulfill. It's one thing to take the security of a long term contract, but to demand peak value is crazy. Almost as crazy as owners giving it to them.
I asked AI how much cap space we have. Its response: As of February 20, 2025, the Houston Texans' salary cap space varies slightly depending on the source and the timing of the most recent updates. Based on available data, the Texans currently have approximately $3.9 million to $10.6 million in cap space for the 2025 offseason. One report from mid-January 2025 indicates that after rolling over about $4.82 million in unused cap space from 2024, the Texans enter 2025 with $3.9 million in cap space, ranking them 25th in the NFL. This figure assumes no additional moves have been made since then. A more recent update from January 20, 2025, suggests the Texans have $10.6 million in cap space, though this could reflect minor adjustments or preliminary restructures. The Texans can significantly increase this amount through contract restructures, extensions, or cuts. For example, players like Shaq Mason, Tytus Howard, or Denico Autry could be cut or restructured to free up anywhere from $9 million to $14 million each, potentially pushing their cap space closer to $40 million or more with strategic moves. General Manager Nick Caserio has a history of skillfully managing the cap, so this number could shift as the offseason progresses. For the most precise figure, it’d depend on real-time roster changes, but as of now, their cap space sits in that $3.9M to $10.6M range before any major adjustments.
Cap space calculations are beginning to sound like bureaucratic spending. Too much imprecise and hidden information.
I can't fathom how a player maximizing value equals being a greedy, selfish b*stard. No human being is going to discount themselves in the present because future self might not be as good as current self. Nor are they going to take less than what the market will pay them. The player is a greedy, selfish b*stard because a team wants to give them money that might, one day, be too much for their production? That's an insane take. I would love for you to point out anyone, in any industry, that doesn't prioritize maximizing value.
I don't blame the players for getting what they can. I blame the owners for giving them free insurance for under performance. There should be a cost to not taking the bird in hand.
I don't think we're cutting all these players you guys are hoping. There are no replacements and we'd be in a worse position. More than likely, we won't be making a big splash this offseason. If we sign one big name, I'd be shocked. We'll shop in the lower second and third tier of Free Agency and hope the draft falls our way. I also don't see us moving up in the first round.
Spoiler Contracts that could be restructured DE Danielle Hunter Hunter signed with the Texans on a two-year, $49 million deal last spring, but he also had three voidable years tacked onto that contract, making him a prime candidate for a restructure. A restructure is when a team converts a player's base salary into a signing bonus to create cap relief. Basically, that player has his bonus paid up front and the money counts against future years on the salary cap. When a player is released or traded, it turns into dead money, which also counts against the salary cap. The drawback in doing this is that it pushes money to future years. Restructuring Hunter, 31, who led the Texans with 11 sacks last season, would bring his cap number from $23.7 million to roughly $10.4 million, saving the Texans $13.3 million, according to Over the Cap. The Texans could also extend Hunter's contract past this season and save money that way. But at this point, restructuring seems like the most likely scenario. WR Nico Collins Collins signed a three-year, $72.75 million contract extension last spring. His cap number for 2025 is $18.4 million. The Texans could do a basic restructure on his contract and bring his cap number down to $10.4 million. That means, they'd save roughly $8 million in cap space. Collins, 26, led the Texans in receiving last season, finishing with 68 catches for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns. When he's healthy, he's one of the best receivers in the NFL. So he's part of their long term future. But while his cap hit will increase significantly in later years, restructuring makes the most sense now. LB Azeez Al-Shaair The Texans signed Al-Shaair to a three-year, $34 million deal last offseason. The linebacker, who was third on the team with 70 tackles in 11 games in 2024, has an $11.5 million cap number for 2025. A simple restructure could cut that number in half, and save them $5.8 million in cap space. Potential release G Shaq Mason The Texans traded for Mason during the 2023 offseason and then signed him to an extension. He was a huge piece to their run when quarterback C.J. Stroud was a rookie. But he regressed significantly in 2024, allowing the most sacks from the guard position. The Texans wouldn't get much cap relief by releasing Mason before June 1 (only $2 million), that number jumps up significantly to $9.4 million if they were to designate him a post-June 1 release. They would incur $5.1 million in dead money. Designating Mason a post-June 1 release, means they wouldn't access that money until after free agency. But that money could come in handy with their ability to sign draft picks and re-signing cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. It's unclear if the Texans would entertain moving on from Mason, a two-time Super Bowl winner. Mason was in New England when new offensive coordinator Nick Caley was there as a tight ends coach. They won a Super Bowl together in 2016 and 2018. And releasing Mason also means the Texans would need to find two guards this offseason instead of one. But the Texans need to do something different with their interior of their offensive line. Could Texans restructure Laremy Tunsil's deal again? Tunsil's cap number for the 2025 season is $28.3 million, which is the highest on the roster, and would represent a significant portion of their cap. The Texans restructured his deal last year, too, which would give some pause to the idea. He has two more years left on the extension he signed two years ago. But restructuring Tunsil potentially saves the Texans an additional $9.9 million in cap space, and that's a lot of money. Would Derek Stingley's contract extension help? A potential contract extension for Stingley would likely have minimal relief salary cap, if any. Stingley will likely be one of the top three highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL. Still, the Texans are likely to address it at some point this offseason, likely in the spring, after free agency, similar to how they operated with Nico Collins last year before signing him to an extension. Stingley has said he wants to be a Texan long-term. He fits the type of player both coach DeMeco Ryans and Caserio look for. He keeps his head down, and works hard. And he performs. He was named first-team All-Pro last season after securing five interceptions for the second consecutive season. He's a lockdown corner and has become one of the best in the NFL. Could Denico Autry become a cap casualty? Defensive end Denico Autry is a potential cap casualty. But that seems less likely given the importance Ryans has placed on the defensive line. And Autry was good when he was healthy. He missed the first six games because of a suspension. And another with a nagging injuries. He'll be 35 next season, so the nagging injuries could be par for the course. But he gives Houston an additional pass rusher, and one less person they'd have to find in free agency. He had just three sacks in 10 games played last season. But Ryans used him in a variety of ways, including at edge rusher and at defensive tackle on obvious passing downs. Cutting him pre-June first could save the Texans $5.7 million, and cutting him after could save $8.7 million. But again, that seems less likely.
Yep, I'm in the minority but players should get year to year contracts, or 2 year deals at the most and if they want to renegotiate their deals to add an extra year after year one that should be doable. In short you would have a better product and their would be less dead weght (Kenyon Green) type contracts.
I actually agree with this, I would rather pay a higher premium for a player who is on the upswing but it doesn't hurt me next year if you decline or I decide to go another direction................the dead money kills teams. In this scenario we could cut some O Lineman who didn't work out and would not affect our bottom line
This is a horrible idea. They'd have to increase the salary cap by $50M each year because every single player would want a raise. Imagine if every QB/WR/LT/DB/DE were free agents every two years. You'd get a players wanting $50-$60M by 2028. Imagine if Nico was due again next offseason. He already knows he signed a team friendly deal. Would he do that again? Then Stingley. Then CJ. Then WAJ. Then Lassiter. Then Tunsil (& we know he's more about the money). No team would be able to keep their players You realize Jamarr Chase wants $40M right now? Imagine if he's in the open market again two years from now. He'd want $50M.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/st...g-daring-bold-moves-afc-nfc-free-agency-draft Houston Texans Trade for Garrett Wilson Wilson was clearly unhappy in New York last season, but he's a very talented young wide receiver. He has three straight 1,000-yard seasons, which is even more impressive considering the quarterback play the Jets have had. In 2021, Wilson had 70 catches for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns at Ohio State with C.J. Stroud as his quarterback. The Texans can't be sure whether Tank Dell's knee will be healthy next season, and Stefon Diggs is a free agent. Other teams have had a ton of success reuniting college teammates, such as Joe Burrow with Ja'Marr Chase or Tua Tagovailoa with Jaylen Waddle. Why not do the same thing in Houston with Stroud and Wilson? The 25th selection and a Day 2 pick in 2026 should get this trade done.
Doesn't mean they would get it. There would only be so much to go around and if another team wanted to pay say Burrow/Chase 50 mil a piece. They would have to fill out the final 51 on 160 mil. That team wouldn't be competitive. Players would be paid on a performance basis.
That Chase situation could get ugly. I cant see Cincy paying him 40-45m. Knowing Cincy history I would be shocked if they did.
