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Last season, the Texans traded a fourth round pick to the Broncos for Demaryius Thomas once Will Fuller V was lost for the season after tearing his ACL against the Miami Dolphins. It was a fine deal for a competent receiver and a much better option than the stale, low sodium saltines available in the cupboard.
Thomas played in seven games and caught 23 passes for 237 yards for the Texans until his season ended prematurely in Philadelphia with a torn Achilles. At 31 years old, some questioned whether DT would come back to play football again, though his status in Houston wasn’t questioned; he was due $14 million to play in Houston in 2019, and there was no way the Texans were going to pay him that even if he was healthy.
What happened next was a no-brainer. The Texans released him, making the veteran wideout a free agent.
Thomas is in fact going to play more football, even at 31 years old and after tearing his Achilles. Yesterday, Thomas signed with the New England Patriots, where he will hang out with Julian Edelman, Philip Dorsett, and maybe Josh Gordon.
Patriots signed former Texans WR Demaryius Thomas
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 16, 2019
New Patriots WR Demaryius Thomas' 1-year deal is HEAVY on "we'll see" type parameters ...
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 17, 2019
$150K to sign.
$150K reporting bonus.
$1.2 million base.
$1.406 million in per-game rosters.
$750K for 60 catches.
$750K for 800 yards.
$750K for 1000 yards.
$750K for 1200 yards.
Even if it didn’t work out the way he and the Texans hoped, it was a decent trade Houston made bringing in Thomas. We will see him back in Houston next season when the Texans host the Patriots.