The Texans’ defensive line could feature a number of different faces in the near future. At least one in-house option will be back for 2025, however.
Kurt Hinish has agreed to a one-year deal to remain in Houston, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. The contract has a base value of $1.8MM, but it can max out at $2.35MM. Hinish was on course for restricted free agency, but today’s move ensures he will remain in place without a tender being issued.
The 25-year-old has remained a regular rotational contributor along the defensive front over each of his three years with the Texans. Overall, Hinish has started four of his 42 appearances, totaling 57 tackles and 1.5 sacks along the way. He was unavailable for Houston during the playoffs this past campaign, but in 2023 he notched a pair of sacks as part of the team’s run to the divisional round.
Hinish will be counted on to remain a depth option along the D-line next season, but changes to that unit could be coming soon. Wilson reports both Foley Fatukasi and Mario Edwards can be expected to reach free agency. The former is dealing with a shoulder injury which requires surgery, Wilson notes. That could hinder Fatukasi’s market, although he is expected to recover in time for the 2025 campaign.
Edwards was hit with a four-game PED suspension in October. The former second-round pick has now played 10 seasons. Exiting his age-31 season, Edwards has already played for seven teams. His 12 Texans starts last year, however, were his most in a season since 2017. Edwards notched three sacks and tallied eight QB hits, recovering two fumbles and batting down two passes. With the nomadic DT’s status uncertain, another well-traveled interior rusher is back on Houston’s radar.
The Texans are interested in bringing back Sheldon Rankins, Wilson adds. A Houston starter in 2023, Rankins opted for a Bengals deal over a Texans effort to re-sign him. He did not impress in Cincinnati and has already been cut. The Texans are expected to explore a reunion before free agency, Wilson adds. Rankins, 32 in April, started all 15 games he played in DeMeco Ryans‘ system that year and registered six sacks — his most since 2018.
The down Cincinnati season will hurt Rankins’ market, after he had signed a two-year, $24.5MM deal last year. The Texans had Rankins on a one-year, $9.75MM pact in 2023. Ryans’ team had made a $12MM-per-year offer in March 2024; it is safe to say Houston’s 2025 proposal will probably check in south of that range.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.
That’s quite an unflattering photo of him right there!