Houston Texans Sign Danny Amendola

From the “who didn’t expect this?” file, your Houston Texans inked a 1-year, $2.5 million dollar deal with another former member of the New England Patriots.

Since entering the league in 2009, Amendola has caught 593 passes in 865 targets for 5,964 yards for a yards per catch average of 10.1. He's also generated 324 first downs and 21 touchdowns.

Amendola has also been a solid special teamer, fielding 198 punt returns for 1860 yards, and 152 kickoffs for 3,575 yards.

He spent 5 seasons as a New England Patriot after spending his first 4 as a member of the St. Louis Rams. Upon leaving the Patriots in 2018, Amendola made a one year stop with the Miami Dolphins, before spending the last two seasons with the Detroit Lions under another former member of the Patriot staff, head coach Matt Patricia, who was fired at the end of last season.

Amendola is from the Woodlands originally, and will most likely relish playing for his home town crowd.

In many ways, this move makes sense, but, like Nick Caserio’s lack of interest in signing undrafted free agents this year, his “all AARP” roster strategy is certainly drawing undue attention. At 35 years old, Amendola will be the oldest player on the Texans roster this season.

And, of course, the continued “Patriots South” narrative will certainly attract even more mockery.

And, Ian, you misspelled “linebacker”... Maybe Tedy Bruschi is ready for a come back?

Either way, Amendola should provide Tyrod Taylor with a safety outlet in the slot, until Anthony Miller returns from injury that is. Amendola is also a solid locker room leader, and if Caserio is truly seeking to build the same culture he embraced in Boston, Amendola’s presence certainly can’t hurt.

Joining a seemingly crowded wide receiver room, Amendola will stand alongside Brandin Cooks (another former Patriot), Chris Conley, rookie Nico Collins, Miller and Andre Roberts.