The Houston Texans’ pass rush improved significantly by the end of the 2023 campaign and became a crucial component of their postseason drive. Bringing a potent pass rush into 2024 is imperative as they head into the offseason and seek to elevate their standing as contenders. Still, a few Texans are set to receive new contracts as free agency approaches. Houston has the sixth-most cap room in football ($57.75 million), so how it uses it might decide its AFC South destiny. Along with rotational pass rushers Jerry Hughes and Derek Barnett and starter edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, interior defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins will also be a free agent. Greenard has made no secret of his desire to go back to H-Town, and the Texans need to support him. Pro Football Focus lists Greenard as the free agent the Texans should target, estimating a three-year, $47.25 million contract. There’s a good cause for it.
Above all, Greenard just wrapped up his finest year to date. He set career highs with 12.5 sacks, 22 quarterback hits, and 15 tackles for loss. In each of the three categories, he led the squad.
Although some might be hesitant to part with a sizable sum of money for the team’s second-best edge rusher, Houston’s situation demands otherwise. When free agency begins, more names will be added to the list of current edge rusher contracts, with an average yearly value of $15.75 million, placing them in 17th place. They are working within C.J. Stroud’s rookie contract, and the price is more than fair. This is the moment to invest. Furthermore, if he hasn’t already, Greenard will eventually lose ground to exceptional pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. However, he is also inexpensive, so Houston can pay two excellent edge rushers for the cost of one superstar. Brad Spielberger said, “Greenard’s 19 stops against the run were a top-20 mark among edge defenders.” And under [DeMeco] Ryan’s guidance, he excelled as a pass rusher, recording career-high numbers with a 12.4% pass-rush win rate, 53 pressures, and 12.5 sacks.
Leave a Reply