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Earlier today we got the news that the Texans released Duke Johnson. Now we learn that they’re also cutting their starting center.
Texans cut veteran center Nick Martin, according to a league source. Martin was due a $7.25 million base salary and had a $8.75 million salary-cap figure
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) February 26, 2021
This move will save the Texans $6,250,000.00 in cap space in 2021.
Veteran center Nick Martin was due a $7.25 million base salary and had an $8.75 million salary-cap figure. Texans saved $6.25 million in salary-cap space by releasing him:https://t.co/5SIaWDuGOo
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) February 26, 2021
Nick Martin was selected by the Texans in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Despite signing a contract extension in 2019 that compensated him as though he was one of the very best centers in the league, Martin never played at a level that matched his contract in Houston. That’s not to say he was terrible; he wasn’t. Martin was mediocre. Ultimately, average play while earning extravagant dollars will get you cut far more often than not in the NFL.
The Texans are at the beginning of a forced demolition and rebuild made necessary by their own past poor decisions. Releasing Nick Martin today is simply an acknowledgment of one such bad choice and an attempt to take a step in the right direction salary cap wise.
As we’ve repeatedly said here on multiple occasions, things are going to get darker for a long time before any semblance of light begins to show itself on the horizon for Texans fans. Buckle up.