2021 NFL Free Agency: Houston Texans Sign Linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis to a Two-Year Contract

Our free agency spending spree continues! First reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, The Texans are signing former Washington Football Team linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis to a two-year contract worth up to $8 million.

Pierre-Louis was a decent starting outside linebacker for the #2 ranked Washington defense in 2020. He played in 16 games, started 11, totaled a career high 56 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 quarterback hits, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 1 sack. Not amazing numbers by any stretch, but he fits the theme for the signings Nick Caserio and the Texans have been making so far: cheap players to start on a rebuilding team.

Pierre-Louis’s sole year in Washington was also the first year he was a consistent starter since entering the league upon getting drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the 4th round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Since getting drafted by the Seahawks and playing there for three seasons, Pierre-Louis has made stops at Kansas City, the New York Jets, Chicago, Washington, and now Houston. While he isn’t an eye-catching signing, his recent season may be a sign of good things to come. Either way, he fits the bill for a team looking for value-adds to aid in a rebuild.

Many believe Caserio is doing a good job with these value signings, believing he’s finding plenty of cheap contributors to fill the gaps in the roster. He’s certainly doing his homework, and it’s encouraging to see the Texans enter free agency with a plan rather than blowing up the whole market with a ridiculous trade or something.

What do you think of this signing? Do you believe in the Kevin Pierre-Louis renaissance, or is this just another player we’ll forget about until he gets stiff-armed by Derrick Henry. I don’t think it’s a bad signing when paired with the Christian Kirksey and Shaq Lawson trade, completing a sort of refurbished linebacking corps. Let us know down in the comments!

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