The Texans land one of the NFL’s top safeties in Tyrann Mathieu, a prized free-agent catch.
The Texans made their first splash in free agency Friday night when they signed safety Tyrann Mathieu.
Mathieu signed a one-year contract that could be worth $7 million. He gets a $4.5 million signing bonus, a $2 million base salary and per-game roster bonuses that could earn him another $500,000.
If Mathieu plays well next season, the Texans are expected to sign him to a long-term extension.
Mathieu, 25, will be playing in his sixth season. Arizona released him Wednesday because he refused to take a pay reduction from the $11 million he was scheduled to receive.
Mathieu, a New Orleans native who played at LSU and was selected in the third round of the 2013 draft, solves a huge need for the Texans, who are trying to upgrade at defensive back.
New general manager Brian Gaine wanted to sign a veteran safety. When Mathieu became available, Gaine began his pursuit.
Mathieu joins cornerback Aaron Colvin as free-agent additions to the secondary that Gaine vowed to improve when he was hired to replace Rick Smith.
At a news conference Thursday announcing Colvin, guard Zach Fulton, guard Senio Kelemete and offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson as the Texans’ free-agent additions, Gaine was asked about their interest in Mathieu, who was coveted by multiple teams.
“As it relates to Tyrann Mathieu, any player that we feel is going to give us a chance to win games that fits within our culture and within our program, within our budgetary means, we will consider,” Gaine said.
Mathieu, the “Honey Badger” who went to the Pro Bowl and was an All-Pro in 2015, is a fierce tackler who can play either safety position and also can cover slot receivers if necessary.
Mathieu (5-9, 186) started 16 games last season. Before the 2016 season, he signed a five-year contract worth $62.5 million.
After signing Colvin, the Texans re-signed cornerback Johnathan Joseph to a two-year contract.
Ex-Pats corner Bademosi signs
The Texans have signed former Patriots cornerback and special-teams contributor Johnson Bademosi to a two-year, $6.5 million contract, Bademosi, 27, is a big cornerback at 6-0, 205 pounds.
He ranks second in the NFL with 74 special-teams tackles since entering the NFL in 2012. He recorded a career-high 20 tackles last season.
He led the Browns in specialteams tackles for four consecutive seasons before joining the Patriots.
Bademosi had 18 tackles and one interception in his one season with the Lions.
For his career, Bademosi has 51 tackles, one interception, nine passes defended and one fumble recovery.
Receiver Coates claimed off waivers
The Texans have been awarded receiver Sammy Coates off waivers from the Browns.
Coates is due a $705,000 base salary for this season and carries a $730,000 salary-cap figure.
Coates is a 6-1, 212-pounder who’s run the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds.
For his career, Coates has caught 28 passes for 516 yards and two touchdowns. He caught six passes for 70 yards last season for the Browns in 12 games and one start after being acquired in a trade.
Clowney’s salary option reduced
When the Texans picked up the fifth-year club option for former top overall pick Jadeveon Clowney a year ago, he was originally due a $13.846 million base salary for this season.
With Clowney now classified as an outside linebacker, the fifthyear option has been reduced to $12.306 million because of the change from defensive end, according to NFL Players Association figures.
There is no grievance being planned at this time contesting the reduction and position classification change.