The Texans let Tyrann Mathieu walk, but they moved quickly in bringing in another safety. Houston has agreed to terms with safety Tashaun Gipson, sources told Dianna Russini of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The deal is worth $22MM over three years, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter).
The Texans are stealing Gipson away from their division rival, as Gipson has spent the past three seasons with the Jaguars. Jacksonville released Gipson on Friday. Gipson signed a five-year, $36MM deal with the Jaguars in 2016, but was cut loose with two years still left to go on that deal.
He had been scheduled to make north of $8MM in 2019 before being released, and it’ll be very interesting to see what Houston gave him. An undrafted free agent in 2012, Gipson spent the first four years of his career with the Browns. He’s had some very good seasons, and made the Pro Bowl in 2014.
He received above average marks from Pro Football Focus last year, earning PFF’s 37th-highest grade among all safeties. He’s been very durable, starting all 48 possible games since he joined the Jaguars. His production was down last year, but in 2017 he had four interceptions. Safeties have been flying off the board early in free agency, with Mathieu, Eric Weddle, Adrian Amos, and Landon Collins all inking new deals. Earl Thomas is the last of the huge names on the market, with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Tre Boston still available as well.
Why didnt raiders sign dix instead of joyner?