The Houston Texans have locked down one of their top young defenders, agreeing to a three-year, $39 million contract extension with nickel cornerback Jalen Pitre. The deal includes $30 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN.
Pitre, entering his third season out of Baylor, made a solid impact in 2024 before his campaign was cut short due to injury. He recorded 65 tackles, six tackles for loss, and eight pass deflections in just 11 games. One of his standout moments came in Week 11, when he forced a key fumble against Cowboys rookie tackle Tyler Guyton. The play resulted in a defensive touchdown by Derek Barnett during Houston’s dominant 34-10 win over Dallas.
Unfortunately, Pitre’s season ended the following week when he suffered a shoulder injury while tackling Titans receiver Tyler Boyd in the second quarter of a 32-27 loss to Tennessee. At the time, Pitre ranked third on the team in total tackles and was among the leaders in tackles for loss and pass breakups.
The Texans have made it a priority this offseason to retain young defensive talent. Pitre becomes the third defender to secure a major extension, following cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and pass rusher Danielle Hunter.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans emphasized the importance of rewarding homegrown talent during the NFL’s annual league meetings.
“We want to send a message,” Ryans said. “When guys like Stingley and Pitre play well and do things the right way, we want to reward that. It sets the standard for the rest of the locker room.”
Pitre emerged as a rising star during his rookie season in 2022, posting 147 tackles and five interceptions. With a new deal in hand, the Texans are counting on him to continue leading their secondary into the future.
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