Updated March 9, 2026, 10:16 a.m. CT
Just like that, the 2026 NFL season is underway. As for the Houston Texans, a wild and wacky agency frenzy is officially underway out at NRG Stadium.
While NFL free agency officially begins Wednesday, March 11 at 3 p.m. CT, the Texans have already been making plenty of moves in terms of trades and signings ahead of the start of the new league year. Moves like the extension for Tytus Howard and Ed Ingram, along with the trade for David Montgomery won’t become official until Wednesday, but they’re locked up and can’t be changed.
With the negotiating window underway, fans should start to hear about potential signings, not just in Houston, but rather around the league. Right now, Texans Wire is monitoring all of the cuts, re-signings, trades, restructures and new signings from last week through free agency, including moves of former Texans landing elsewhere on the open market.
As of Sunday evening, the Texans are projected to have roughly $34.4 million in salary cap space, according to Over The Cap, which gives general manager Nick Caserio ample room to work with as he continues to free up cap space and build up the roster.
Check back throughout the day as Texans Wire keeps you up to date on all things surrounding free agency.
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Sheldon Rankins was expected to return to the Texans, but now the deal is official. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Texans and Rankins have agreed to a two-year contract that includes $12 million guaranteed. Over the past two years with Houston, Rankins has been one of the more complete defensive players, totaling 35 tackles, three sacks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown during the regular season last fall.
Texans keep OL Ed Ingram on three-year extension
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Texans and Ingram agreed to terms on a three-year, $37.5 million deal, keeping him in Houston through 2028. At just over $12.5 million in annual salary, Caserio continues to live up to his word of rebuilding the offensive line with proven experience at a hearty rate, rather than spending cheaply.
After struggling for three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Ingram found his footing under Cole Popovich in Houston’s trenches. While far from a finished product, the former LSU star at least looked much closer to the player worthy of a Day 2 selection with a starting-caliber update.
In 16 games, Ingram served as the Texans’ best run blocker, showing the ability to open holes for a lackluster run game. And while he struggled in pass-pro at times, he wasn’t as consistently underwhelming as during his time in Minnesota.
DL Naquan Jones heads back to Houston on a one-year deal
According to his agent, Mike McCarthy, the Texans re-signed Naquon Jones on a one-year, $2 million deal. He was one of their four pending free agent defensive tackles and came on strong to close out last season with Tim Settle and Mario Edwards Jr. on the season-ending injured reserve.
All Texans moves before free agency beginsOT Tytus Howad traded to Cleveland Browns in exchange for 2026 fifth-round pickRB David Montgomery traded from Detriot Lions in exchange for OL Juice Scruggs, 2026 fourth-round pick, 2027 seventh-round pickRB Joe Mixon released, saving $8 million in cap space.DB Jimmie Ward released, saving $750K in cap spaceDE Danielle Hunter extended on a one-year, $40.1 million deal through 2027 season.TE Dalton Schultz extended on a one-year, $12 million deal through 2027 season.DB M.J. Strewart re-signed to one-year dealOT Trent Brown re-signed to one-year, $7 million dealLB E.J. Speed re-sgined to two-year deal worth up to $13 millionDB Jalen Pitre, DB Derek Stingley Jr.’s contract restructured, saving over $20 million in cap space.