Houston Texans, Pro Bowl player share mutual interest in free agency

Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Now that DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud have shown that the Houston Texans are capable of reaching the AFC Divisional Round, the next step is getting further. After showing so much potential in their first season together, suddenly the Texans are one of the most desirable landing spots for NFL free agents to join.

Since they have roughly $70 million to spend, not only will the Texans have plenty of money to spend, but instead of having to convince good players to sign, they’ll have the talent chasing them. Locking in a young franchise quarterback on a rookie contract is a great place to be, and now the Texans could be set to benefit in a big way this offseason.

Patrick Queen could join Houston Texans if Blake Cashman departs

The Houston Texans aren’t like other teams. Many of their top needs are filled, with quarterback, left tackle, and their top pass rusher all under contract. But of course this team has needs.

One area the Texans have to address one way or another is their front seven, with Blake Cashman and Jonathan Greenard set for free agency. Both players have expressed a desire to return to Houston, but once they hit the open market, anything is possible, including receiving an offer they can’t refuse elsewhere. After all, if the Texans were serious about retaining either player, they would already be signed, yet that doesn’t mean negotiations are over.

Yet, if Cashman does depart for one reason or another, the Texans could already be eyeing his replacement in free agency.

According to ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime, linebacker Patrick Queen and the Texans share a mutual interest in linking up during free agency.

“Houston would like to keep linebacker Blake Cashman, who led the team in tackles (106) last season, but his cost could be more than what the Texans are willing to spend — especially if no deal is in place before the negotiating period opens. Houston could focus on Ravens free agent linebacker Patrick Queen, who played with Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. at LSU. Queen was second-team All-Pro last season, and there’s some interest between the two parties, per a source.”
DJ Bien-Aime on Houston Texans, Patrick Queen sharing mutual interest.

Set to turn 25 in August, Queen is three years younger than Cashman. If the cost difference is just a few million, Houston could be an ideal fit since they have much more money to spend than their competitors. Spotrac estimates that Queen could command a contract worth $18.5 million per season.

While Cashman was effective for the Texans, Queen was a second-team All-Pro selection last season while earning an elite coverage grade of 83.2 (6th among linebackers) per Pro Football Focus. In other words, if the Texans strike out on re-signing Cashman, pivoting to Queen wouldn’t be a bad move.