The Houston Texans have already reached contract extensions with two of their best defensive players in cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and edge rusher Danielle Hunter, and there could be more to come.
Cem Yolbulan of House of Houston has already identified who he feels should be next in line for a new deal, singling out safety Jalen Pitre.
"Houston's second-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, Jalen Pitre, is extension-eligible right now. Entering the final season of his four-year rookie deal, Pitre has done enough to deserve a lucrative, long-term extension," Yolbulan wrote. "Pitre suffered a pectoral tear in November and missed the final five games of the season and the playoffs. Before then, however, he was in the midst of the best season of his career."
In 12 games this past year, Pitre registered 65 tackles, an interception and eight passes defended and was a cruciail part of the Texans' stingy secondary.
The Baylor product has been a lynchpin in Houston's defense over the first three seasons of his career, as he racked up 147 tackles during his rookie campaign and followed that up with 84 more stops in 2023.
During the 2024 season, Pitre posted a 73.9 overall grade at Pro Football Focus, recording a 71.3 coverage grade. So not only is the 25-year-old stout against the run, but he does his job as a defensive back, as well.
Of course, the Texans are pretty strapped for cash. They have already extended wide receiver Nico Collins as well as Stingley and Hunter this offseason, and quarterback C.J. Stroud becomes eligible for a new contract next year. That will obviously make things difficult when it comes to extending Pitre, but such is life when you boast an NFL roster full of talented young players.
Stefon Diggs Connected With $100 Million QB on NFC Team
As the 2025 NFL free agency slows down, there are still some big names remaining. One of them is veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whose potential whereabouts seem to change by the day.
However, another one is Stefon Diggs, the former Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills wide receiver who spent 2024 with the Houston Texans.
Diggs, 31, is recovering from an ACL tear, but he is still a quality WR who can provide a boost to an offense.
Recently, the New England Patriots hosted Diggs for a visit, and things have been picking up on his buzz around the league.
As free agency continues to churn, Nick Shook of NFL.com named some best fits for the top remaining free agents. One name he discussed was Diggs, and he linked him to the Seattle Seahawks.
The Seahawks recently signed QB Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal. Moreover, the Seahawks traded DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers and released veteran Tyler Lockett while bringing in Cooper Kupp to help the WR room.
Now, Shook links Diggs as an option for Seattle in an intriguing destination.
"The Seahawks have cap space and already took a swing on one 31-year-old receiver with a documented injury history, signing Cooper Kupp," Shook wrote. "Diggs' path back to the field is complicated by the ACL injury that ended his 2024 campaign in October, and this pairing probably wouldn't provide Diggs with a massive number of targets, presuming the Seahawks build out of the running game."
"But his versatility and experience -- plus Seattle's need to fill out its receiving corps -- makes this an ideal fit," Shook added.
Diggs is a four-time Pro Bowler who had six straight 1,000-yard seasons with the Bills, including a career-high 1,535 yards and 127 receptions in 2020.
In 2024, Diggs' first and only season with the Texans, he caught 47 passes for 496 yards with three touchdowns in eight games before tearing his ACL.
A potential Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Kupp and Diggs WR room would be a good one for Darnold and the Seahawks as they usher in a new-look offensive era.
