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After initially (and quite curiously) opting to non-tender him, your Houston Texans have agreed to terms with Roderick Johnson on a one-year deal for the offensive tackle to return in 2020.
Texans re-sign Roderick Johnson to one-year, $1.75 million contract after not tendering him, according to a league source. Texans had previously monitored backup tackle market. Now, Johnson is back after playing in 16 games with three starts last season.
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 20, 2020
Source: Texans re-sign tackle Roderick Johnson to $1.75M contract https://t.co/Tmfs3KkEgP)
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 20, 2020
BRB’s been a house on fire with criticism of Bill O’Brien over the last week, so allow me to pour a cup of water on that inferno with praise of this move. Roderick Johnson is a solid NFL swing tackle. He has not yet shown the consistent production that would warrant anointing him a starter, but he’s acquitted himself well when pressed into service.
Frankly, he should have played more than he did last season, but Chris Clark was signed in the wake of Seantrel Henderson’s back injury and somehow siphoned snaps from the younger Johnson. It’s hard to imagine Clark being back with the Texans this season, so Johnson should see continued opportunities to develop moving forward.
I thought it was a mistake not to tender Johnson and figured that meant he was a goner, which means I’m pleasantly surprised to hear he’ll return, presumably as a backup to Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard at both tackle spots. What’s your reaction to the news?