Houston Texans 2026 free agency tracker: Rumors and signings

A new safety has joined the Houston Texans’ secondary for 2026 and beyond.

According to reports, the Texans and former Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Reed Blankenship have agreed to terms on a three-year, $24.75 million contract with ex-Eagles safety Reed Blankenship. The deal includes $16.5 million guaranteed.

Blakenship, who was voted a team captain for the Eagles, played in 16 games last season, totaling 83 tackles, one interception and a forced fumble. Before that, he recorded seven interceptions between 2023-24, along with 18 pass deflections.

A former undrafted free agent from Middle Tennessee State, the 27-year-old was a key part of a championship defense in 2024 that finished first in passing yards allowed (174.2) and second in opponent points per game (17.8). Over the past three years, he has started at least 16 games while posting a coverage grade of at least 73.0, per Pro Football Focus.

In Houston, Blankeship should be the last piece to set the Texans’ defense over the top as potentially the No. 1 unit in the league. The Texans, with a rotating cast of safety options opposite Calen Bullock, ranked top-10 in every pass coverage category, including No. 1 in total yards allowed (277.2) and No. 2 in scoring (17.7).

With the Texans, Blankenship will join a secondary full of Pro Bowlers, including All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., Pro Bowler Kamari Lassiter and nickel defender Jalen Pitre.

Blankenship is the second outside free agent signing to join the Texans alongside Chicago Bears defensive end Domonique Robinson.

Tim Settle has played his last down at NRG Stadium. According to NFL Network, Settle is returning to the Washington Commanders on a three-year, $24 million deal worth up to $25.5 million. According to Mike Garafolo, even after suffering a foot injury that ended his season late in the year, Settle had interest from multiple teams that were willing to up his pay.

Houston was interested in retaining the defensive tackle, but the asking price was far too high. Two years ago, he inked a deal that gave him $3 million in annual salary. Now, he’ll make roughly $8 million annually to return to the defense under former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

In 2025, Settle started 12 games for Houston’s No. 1 total defense, recording 15 total tackles with three tackles for loss, one sack, and three passes defensed. His season was cut short, but his presence was felt, espcially early in the year while Houston relied on its defense to bail its lackluster offense out of trouble.

For his career, Settle has appeared in 130 games, totaling 29 starts. He’s tallied 30 tackles for loss, 27 QB hits, and 15 sacks.

No team has been more aggressive in fixing their team by spending big than Tennessee, which agreed to deals with cornerbacks Cor’Dale Flott and Alontae Taylor. Flott, who reunites with former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, received a three-year, $45 million deal that includes $32 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network.

Taylor, a three-year starter for the Saints’ secondary as both an outside corner and a nickel defender, inked a three-year deal worth $60 million. He started 53 of 64 games and has four career interceptions.

Former Denver Broncos defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers is joining forces with new head coach Robert Saleh on a three-year, $63 million contract, $42 million of which is guaranteed, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. A standout for the Broncos’ trenches, Franklin-Myers had 7.5 sacks last season and 7 in 2024 to help the Broncos set franchise records for sacks in each of the last two seasons. He also ranked fourth on the team with 15 quarterback hits and was top 10 nationally in pressures among defensive tackles with 47.

New Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is getting a legit slot receiver threat to help Cam Ward improve in Year 2. According to reports, the Titans and former New York Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson have agreed to terms on a four-year, $78 million deal that includes $38 million guaranteed. As the new go-to weapon in Nashville, Robinson hopes to make sure last season wasn’t a fluke. As the No. 1 weapon for rookie Jaxson Dart, Robinson finished with 92 catches for 1,014 yards and four touchdown receptions.

Left guard was a position the Texans were expected to target in free agency, but one of the top names won’t be signing in Houston once the new league year starts. According to reports, the New Orleans Saints are signing former Buffalo Bills offensive lineman David Edwards to a four-year, $61 million deal. The Saints also were looking to upgrade the left guard spot after dealing with short-term investments, but now solidify the offensive line with a two young tackles, Ceaser Ruiz and Erik McCoy to protect rookie star Tyler Shough in 2026.

The former Jacksonville Jaguars starter is out of Duval County and headed home. According to reports, Etienne has agreed to terms on a four-year, $52 million deal with the New Orleans Saints. The former first-round pick rushed for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns with the Jaguars last season and caught 36 passes for 292 yards and six touchdowns, helping first-year coach Liam Coen lead his team to a 13-win campaign and AFC South division title.

The Texans were expected to target offensive lineman Cade Mays in free agency following the departure of Tytus Howard. Instead, the former Carolina Panthers center is headed to the Motor City to join forces with Dan Campbell. According to KPRC 2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, Mays has agreed to terms on a three-year, $25 million deal, with $14 million set in fully guaranteed money.

The Texans still are expected to target at least two more offensive linemen in free agency.

Houston was reportedly interested in going after Kenneth Walker III from the Seattle Seahawks once he planned on testing free agency, but instead will watch him join forces with Patrick Mahomes. The Kansas City Chiefs and the Super Bowl MVP agreed to terms on a three-year deal with a $43.05 million base value and $28.7 million fully guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Texans recently traded for Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery in exchange for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and two draft picks.

With Alec Pierce back on a four-year contract, the Colts are freeing up over $24 million in cap space by trading Pittman to Pittsburgh. The deal is expected to include a pair of Day 3 swapped selections. Pittman, who had 80 catches for 784 yards and seven touchdowns last season, should give the Steelers another big-bodied wide receiver to pair with DK Metcalf for the long haul.

It turns out that Pierce was never leaving the Indianapolis Colts after all. According to the team’s X account, Pierce is sticking around on a four-year, $116 million extension. The No. 1 wideout for the AFC South franchise, fresh off his first 1,000-yard season, is back at Lucas Oil Stadium with Daniel Jones.

Sheldon Rankins was expected to return to the Texans, but now the deal is official. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Texans and Rankins have agreed to a two-year contract that includes $12 million guaranteed. Over the past two years with Houston, Rankins has been one of the more complete defensive players, totaling 35 tackles, three sacks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown during the regular season last fall.