2015 Houston Texans Free Agency Tracker: "Good Chance" Brooks Reed Leaves Texans

The always connected Mark Berman tweets:

Kenneth Zuckerman, Brooks Reed's agent: "From the looks of things there's a good chance Brooks will not be back with the Texans."

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 6, 2015

When the Houston Texans drafted Brooks Reed in 2011, they hoped they would be able to convert the collegiate defensive end into an outside linebacker in Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense. As a rookie, Reed got more playing time than initially anticipated when Mario Williams was lost for the year five games into the season. And for that first year, Reed did give some indication that he would be able to bring pressure off the edge.

Since then, however, Reed has not flourished as a pass rusher. He has, however, become very good against the run, particularly as it pertains to setting the edge. During the 2013 season and leading into the 2014 season, there was talk of Reed moving inside; Reed himself even seemed to confirm such a move in training camp last year, only for it to never materialize.

Now, Reed's agent seems to think his client has played his last game as a Texan (with the caveat that this could be simple puffery and smoke designed to get the Texans moving in the negotiating process). If Reed's agent is right, it'll be interesting to see what kind of money Reed gets on the open market, and there's a decent chance we don't realize how steady--though not spectacular--Reed was until he's gone. What say you?