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Kai’imi Fairbairn has been the Houston Texans’ kicker since 2017, and now, if he plays out the remainder of his new contract extension, he will be until 2024. Aaron Wilson reports that Fairbairn has signed a four-year extension. The contract amount is unknown at the time of this publication.
Texans reach four-year deal with kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn, per league sources
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 10, 2020
In his career, Fairbairn has been automatic on field goals between 0-39 yards. He has struggled beyond that. He is 22/29 from 40-49 yards and 10/16 from 50+ yards. He also, surprisingly, has an extra point made percentage of only 91.7%; he finished at 88.9% last season. On kickoffs, Fairbairn’s career touchback rate is 60.1%; it was 51.9% last season. Regardless, Houston’s kickoff team was tied for eighth in expected points added according to Football Outsiders, last season.
All in all, Fairbairn is a fine kicker. He’s good enough. It will be interesting to see the contract structure and how much he re-signed for. We’ll have an update once our sources divulge this information.
UPDATE: The contract is for four- years and $17.65 million, of which $9 million is guaranteed. This makes Fairbairn the third highest paid kicker in the NFL by average yearly salary.
#Texans K Kai’mi Fairbairn is signing a four-year, $17.65 million contract to remain in Houston, source says. The deal includes $9 million fully guaranteed and makes Fairbairn the third highest paid kicker on a per-year basis.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 10, 2020