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In light of this week’s trade news, you know what time it is. For those who missed it: the Texans sent would-be/never-was franchise center Juice Scruggs to the Detroit Lions for tailback David Montgomery and Swiss-army-o-lineman Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns for a practice squad pick.
Caserio has been around long enough for us to know he’s never shy about trades and oft uses them as cap management tools. He did inherit an absolute train-wreck of a cap situation from former Houston football czar Bill “A-Gap” O’Brien, mostly cleaned up via trades and cheap veteran free agent deals.
Then he pulled off the greatest draft day trade in Texans history when he landed the #3 pick used to select all-world defender Will Anderson Jr.
And, there was last year’s jaw-dropper when he sent pro-bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil out into the world for 4 draft picks. Granted, the Washington
So, when you see Caserio trade away more offensive linemen, you know he’s just priming the chambers.
Per Aaron Wilson, Nick’s staff is currently working to restructure the greatest cornerback in the NFL’s lucrative deal to free up cap space.
Other rumors have all-world defender Danielle Hunter and defensive captain Azeez Al-Shaair landing extensions that should also relieve some 2026 cap pressure.
Sheldon Rankins, E.J. Speed, Trent Brown, Tommy Townsend and Derek Barnett are all rumored to return, meaning new deals and new cap spends.
While all this happens, Anderson Jr. and quarterback C.J. Stroud are both due salary adjustments in the form of either a 5th Year Option or full-blown contract extension. Most, including myself, believe Anderson Jr. gets a new deal and Stroud gets a 5th year to show he’s a champion.
Meanwhile, Joe Mixon will likely ride off into the Twilight Zone of odd NFL career endings.
And these are just some of the many moving pieces.
According to overthecap.com Hunter, Nico Collins, Derek Stingley Jr., Dalton Schultz, Al-Shaair, Jalen Pitre, Stroud, Anderson Jr., Mixon and Davis Mills are the top ten paychecks on the team. Combined, these 10 players currently make a collective $103.485 mil in base salary and account for a whopping $160.08 mil against the 2026 cap. That’s 53.14% of the $301.2 mil total salary cap for this year.
Oh, and don’t forget Caserio and crew still need to reload the offensive line via free agency and the draft, address the other safety position across from Calen Bullock and plug a few other roster holes.
Sounds easy right?
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