As the Houston Texans navigate an already active offseason—trading away Laremy Tunsil, acquiring Christian Kirk, swapping Kenyon Green for C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and signing veteran left tackle Cam Robinson, to name a few—the front office has been aggressive in reshaping the roster on both sides of the ball.
In addition to these moves, Houston has secured key contract extensions for Derek Stingley Jr. and Danielle Hunter. And last offseason, they did the same with wide receiver Nico Collins after his breakout third year. Through these decisions, general manager Nick Caserio has established a clear precedent: if you work hard, produce on the field, and carry yourself the right way in the building, you will be rewarded. And now, one big question still looms—should the Texans turn their attention to extending Jalen Pitre before his rookie contract expires?
For me, this feels a lot like where we were a year ago when the conversation centered around a potential Nico Collins extension. Not because Pitre and Collins are the same caliber of player or will require the same type of contract, but because the dynamic is familiar—both players dealt with questions about durability, early-career consistency, and whether to commit after a career-best Year 3. And in both cases, I believe the answer is simple: act early and bet on your guy.
A Familiar Debate with a Proven Blueprint
Last year, some fans were hesitant about extending Collins early, with understanable concerns about consitent production and health. Then he exploded with a career-best season, and the Texans were praised for getting the deal done when they did. I see a similar opportunity here with Pitre.
Both players are prime examples of what DeMeco Ryans and Nick Caserio are building—embodying the Texans’ SWARM mentality (Special Work Ethic and Relentless Mindset). Leaders on and off the field, culture carriers, and perfect fits in Ryans’ locker room.
Why Waiting Could Cost More
ESPN’s Matt Bowen recently highlighted Pitre as one of the top 4 defensive backs projected to hit free agency in 2026, alongside names like Kerby Joseph and Riq Woolen. Bowen noted:
"Pitre is an urgent alley runner with split-field range, and he can hover near the line of scrimmage to find the ball."
With the league always eager for versatile defensive backs, there’s no question Pitre’s value could soar next offseason if Houston waits.
Much like the Collins situation, this is a realtively highly drafted player the Texans know better than anyone. It makes sense to beat the market and get a deal done early, especially for a player coming off a breakout year in Ryans' system and his new role.
The Financial Angle: It Can Be Done Now
Some might point to looming extensions for C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. as reasons to hold off on a Pitre deal. But here’s the reality—those extensions won’t truly hit the cap for a few years.
Both Stroud and Anderson are entering Year 3 of their rookie contracts, meaning their fifth-year options are still there the folllowing year to get exercised and their big cap hits won’t start until the 2028 season. Even then, smart structuring (like deferred guarantees or staggered cap hits) gives Caserio plenty of flexibility.
A 2-3 year extension for Pitre now could easily bridge the gap and align well with the Texans' larger financial picture.
In fact, according to OverTheCap.com, depending on the structure, an extension for Pitre could create roughly $2 million in cap space this year, which Houston could use immediately or roll over into future seasons. These types of moves are exactly how Caserio has maneuvered to keep Houston competitive and proactive in building around its young core.
Pitre’s Growth and His Impact
Before his season-ending pectoral tear in Week 12 against the Tennessee Titans, Jalen Pitre was putting together the best season of his young NFL career. But to truly understand the player he’s become—and why he’s so vital to DeMeco Ryans’ defense—you have to go back to the beginning and look at how scheme, alignment, and usage shaped his development.
Year 1 (2022): Flashy Stats, Scheme-Driven Production
Pitre entered the league as a second-round pick and made an immediate splash in the box score:
147 total tackles (99 solo)
5 interceptions
8 passes defensed
1 sack
On the surface, these numbers looked elite—especially for a rookie safety. But a deeper dive into the context and tape told a different story.
Under head coach Lovie Smith, the Texans ran a Cover 2-heavy scheme, which often asked safeties to play deep and react downhill. That led to inflated tackle and interception numbers, not necessarily because of elite play, but because of how frequently he was placed in positions to clean things up after breakdowns in front of him.
His PFF grades that year reflected those inconsistencies:
57.1 overall defense
44.2 run defense
39.2 tackling
65.8 coverage
(Note: PFF grades are not the definitive measure of performance, but when combined with film study, they can highlight trends and support evaluation.)
Alignment breakdown (2022):
73 DL snaps
288 box
621 free safety
95 slot
11 corner(Total: 1,088 snaps — 57% at FS, 26% box, 9% slot)
The discrepancy between the stats and the tape was clear. While Pitre showed flashes of the instincts and playmaking ability that made him a standout at Baylor, he was also frequently out of position and asked to do things outside his skillset as a high safety.
Year 2 (2023): Same Role, Steady Improvement
In 2023, DeMeco Ryans took over, and while expectations were high for Pitre to break out in Year 2, his role remained largely the same—still playing deep in a two-high look more often than not. That meant another season of being out of his comfort zone, though his execution improved in several areas.
Stats:
84 tackles
0 interceptions
5 passes defensed
PFF grades (2023):
61.8 overall defense
62.4 run defense
54.0 tackling
61.6 coverage
Alignment breakdown (2023):
41 DL
245 box
620 free safety
118 slot
8 corner(Total: 1,032 snaps — 60% at FS, 24% box, 11% slot)
While his production dipped, the film and grading showed progress. He looked more comfortable in zone coverage and showed improved tackling angles. Still, the Texans were yet to fully unlock the version of Pitre they drafted.
Year 3 (2024): Back in the Star Role, and Fully Unleashed
Everything changed in 2024 when Pitre was finally placed in the position he played at Baylor: the nickel/“star” role in DeMeco Ryans’ 4-2-5 base defense.
When it was first announced during training camp that Pitre would be moving to nickel, many fans misunderstood the role. The assumption was that he’d be covering twitchy slot receivers 1-on-1 like a cornerback. That led to early concerns, especially after clips surfaced from training camp of him getting beat by elite receivers in isolated 1-on-1 drills—drills designed to favor wideouts.
But that’s not what this role is.
In Ryans’ system, the nickel/“star” defender is essentially a third linebacker—a hybrid enforcer who plays in the box, blitzes, reroutes receivers, and cleans up against the run. While Pitre is only 5'11", 198 lbs, he plays much bigger. His physicality, fearlessness, and explosiveness allow him to thrive in traffic, and he brings more agility and range than a traditional linebacker, which fits perfectly in today’s pass-heavy NFL.
Stats in 12 games (2024):
65 tackles
6 tackles for loss
1 forced fumble
1 interception
8 passes defensed
PFF grades (2024):
73.9 overall defense
79.5 run defense
55.1 tackling
71.3 coverage
Alignment breakdown (2024):
30 DL
188 box
8 free safety
434 slot(Total: 660 snaps — 66% slot, 28% box, 5% FS/DL)
In this role, Pitre became a chaos creator near the line of scrimmage. His blitz timing forced hurried throws. He was a menace in the run game, often beating blocks to the spot. Ryans used him as a chess piece—looping through gaps, disguising pressure, and rotating post-snap to confuse quarterbacks.
Yes, there were a few plays where Pitre got beat in coverage—most notably a catch by Davante Adams against the Jets. But it's important to contextualize those plays. Many of the snaps where Pitre was matched in man coverage against elite slot receivers occurred on ambiguous downs—2nd-and-short or 3rd-and-medium—where the defense had to account for both run and pass, and Pitre was stuck in man as a precaution.
These weren’t known passing downs. And in known passing situations, Ryans can always sub in a true cover nickel or give Pitre a shallow zone assignment. His primary role is not to be a full-time slot corner—and shouldn’t be judged as one.
Even with those rare lapses, the impact Pitre made in his true position was undeniable. He helped fuel simulated pressure looks, stuffed runs before they developed, and dictated offensive adjustments. The stats don’t fully capture what he brought to the table.
Beyond the Box Score: The Advanced Metrics Behind Pitre’s Impact
Blitz Efficiency & Scheme Influence
One area where Jalen Pitre’s impact took a huge leap in 2024 was as a blitzer. After barely being used in that capacity his first two seasons—just 6 pass rush snaps in 2022 (1.1% of total snaps) and 37 in 2023 (6.2%)—Pitre was unleashed in Year 3 from his new "star" position, recording 46 pass rush snaps in just 12 games.
That accounted for 11.4% of his total snaps, and he posted a 6.5 Pass Rush Productivity (PRP) score according to PFF—a metric that factors in sacks, hits, and hurries relative to opportunities. While that number was slightly down from 2023’s 9.5, the increased volume and responsibility in 2024 reflect how often he was used to force hurried throws, draw protections, or help create confusion in simulated pressure looks. His consistent disruption, even without gaudy sack numbers, speaks to his value as a chess piece in DeMeco Ryans' defense.
Volume with Value: Among the NFL’s Most Active Blitzing DBs
Despite missing five regular season games and both playoff contests, Pitre still logged the sixth-most pass rush snaps among all linebackers/safety-hybrids in the NFL. For comparison, Vikings DB Josh Metellus led the league with 89 pass rush snaps over 18 games (669 pass defense snaps), and Chargers safety Derwin James had 77 pass rushes over 17 games (627 pass defense snaps).
At his 2024 rate (roughly 0.114 pass rushes per pass snap), had Pitre played as many pass downs as Metellus, he would have finished with approximately 76 pass rush snaps—ranking third in the league behind only Metellus and James, despite being classified primarily as a safety.
That kind of volume—and the impact it created—is a testament to how central Pitre became in DeMeco Ryans’ disguised blitz packages, simulated pressures, and third-down chaos. He’s not just filling a role—he’s helping create the scheme.
Elite Run Stop Consistency Across Multiple Roles
What Is a Run Stop — and Why It Matters
It’s important to note:
A “loss” does not mean a tackle for loss (TFL) behind the line of scrimmage. It means the offense failed to gain enough yardage to keep the drive on schedule. For example, a 3-yard gain on 1st-and-10 is considered a stop. So is a 2-yard gain on 3rd-and-4.
What’s notable is that Pitre has maintained a remarkably consistent Run Stop % across all three of his NFL seasons:
2022: 5.4%
2023: 5.4%
2024: 5.2%
Using PFF snap count filters to account for minimum volume, Pitre has ranked at or near the top 10 in Run Stop % among all qualifying safeties each year, despite playing vastly different roles. That’s especially impressive considering he spent most of 2022 and 2023 playing as a high safety—where stop opportunities are few and far between.
Efficiency Over Volume: A Sign of Playmaking Discipline
His ability to consistently produce stops from a deep alignment likely factored into the Texans’ decision to move him closer to the line of scrimmage in 2024. And while his new "star" role gave him more chances to make plays in the run game, it also came with increased volume and more potential for error. Yet Pitre still held steady with elite-level efficiency.
Examining Slot Coverage Numbers — and the Context Behind Them
Looking at Jalen Pitre’s 2024 slot coverage stats in isolation might raise some eyebrows. Among safeties with at least 80 snaps in slot coverage, Pitre allowed:
42 targets (3rd most)
32 receptions (4th most)
359 receiving yards (2nd most)
198 yards after the catch (2nd most)
4 touchdowns (tied for most)
A 120.3 passer rating when targeted (6th highest)
But these raw numbers don’t tell the full story—and frankly, they lack crucial context.
Despite playing only 12 regular season games, Pitre logged 267 snaps in slot coverage—second-most in the league among safeties, trailing only Quentin Lake (345). That level of usage speaks volumes about how much the Texans leaned on him to execute in a difficult hybrid role.
Pitre wasn't a traditional cover nickel assigned to shadow slot receivers in clear passing situations. He often played a "star" role—a hybrid safety-linebacker—tasked with fitting the run, rerouting receivers, and reading the backfield. Many of the plays where he was targeted came on ambiguous downs like 2nd-and-short or 3rd-and-medium, where man coverage was necessary in case of a run. And when he did get beat, such as on the much-discussed Davante Adams play against the Jets, it typically wasn’t on passing downs designed to put him in coverage—it was in situations where the defense had to honor the threat of the run.
Even with that volume and assignment difficulty, his efficiency metrics held up:
1.34 yards allowed per slot coverage snap (13th)
6.4 snaps per target (T-9th)
8.3 snaps per reception (16th)
He ranked favorably against players like Derwin James, Jevon Holland, Kyle Hamilton, and Camryn Bynum—players whose roles are more aligned with traditional coverage duties.
It’s also important to note that these comparisons are being made against other safeties, many of whom play true coverage roles on passing downs. But in Pitre’s case, his responsibilities often mirrored those of a third linebacker—tasked with fitting the run, blitzing, and handling short-to-intermediate zone duties, not sticking to elite slot receivers in man coverage.
If we were to compare these same metrics against linebackers, which is more aligned with how Pitre was deployed in 2024, it’s likely his efficiency numbers would stack up even more favorably. It’s yet another example of how his role defies traditional stat columns—and why his value to the Texans’ scheme shouldn’t be judged through a narrow lens.The takeaway? Pitre’s raw coverage stats reflect heavy usage and tough matchups, not poor play. In fact, considering his role, he handled the volume well—and continued to impact the game in ways numbers can’t always capture.
Looking at the Bigger Picture: Pitre vs. All Safeties in Coverage
After examining Jalen Pitre’s performance specifically in slot coverage, it also helps to zoom out and evaluate how he performed in coverage relative to all safeties, regardless of alignment.
Among 73 safeties with at least 300 coverage snaps in 2024, Pitre ranked:
15th in targets (52)
15th in receptions allowed (39)
T-15th in total yards allowed (419)
T-11th in pass breakups (5)
T-11th in yards after catch (215)
T-65th in average depth of target (aDOT) at just 6.1 yards
75% reception rate (T-23rd highest)
14% missed tackle rate on pass plays (18th highest)
While this isn’t a perfect apples-to-apples comparison—since Pitre’s coverage snaps came primarily from the slot or box, while many of the other safeties in this data set played deep or had more traditional roles—it’s still a worthwhile reference point when evaluating him within the safety market as a whole.
At face value, some of the raw numbers may seem middle-of-the-pack or slightly elevated, but they reflect a defender who was constantly involved in high-traffic situations. His extremely low average depth of target (6.1 yards) shows he was primarily targeted in short-area throws like screens, flats, or quick slants—often by design to attack underneath zone defenders or force missed tackles in space.
That short-area role also explains the 215 yards after catch (T-11th most) allowed—those YAC numbers aren’t the result of coverage busts downfield, but rather the result of playing in tight space near the line of scrimmage and needing to bring down receivers quickly after the catch.
Still, despite the heavy workload and quick-target environment, Pitre held up well:
1.34 yards allowed per slot coverage snap (13th among slot safeties)
6.4 snaps per target (T-9th)
8.3 snaps per reception (16th)
5 pass breakups (T-11th)
These numbers highlight a player who was not only relied upon in a unique hybrid role, but who also produced at a level comparable to many top-tier safeties in the league. When judged within the context of how he was used, Pitre’s 2024 coverage performance shows a defender who held his own—despite being put in far more conflict-heavy scenarios than most players at his position.
It’s a reminder that while the coverage data might not paint a perfect picture on its own, it underscores Pitre’s value as a versatile, high-volume contributor in one of the most physically demanding defensive roles in football.
Before we dive into what a potential extension might look like, it’s important to keep all of this in perspective—both in terms of usage and how he compares to others across the position.
Tackling: A Flawed, But Improving Part of Pitre’s Game
One area that has drawn criticism for Jalen Pitre throughout his career is his tackling consistency. And while it remains a part of his game that could improve, the numbers suggest that the issue may be overblown when compared to his peers—especially considering the role he plays.
Over his first three seasons, here are Pitre’s total missed tackles and missed tackle rates (via PFF):
2022: 35 missed tackles | 19.9% missed tackle rate
2023: 17 missed tackles | 15.3%
2024: 12 missed tackles | 16.2%
While the raw numbers show a dip from Year 1 to Year 3, the percentage has hovered in the mid-teens, despite a big change in role and usage. Pitre’s missed tackle rate is often pointed out by fans, but when placed next to some of the top safeties and hybrid defenders in the league, it puts things into better perspective:
Player | Missed Tackles | Missed Tackle % |
Kyle Hamilton | 19 | 14.6% |
Brian Branch | 18 | 13.7% |
Derwin James | 10 | 9.2% |
Justin Reid | 10 | 8.7% |
Camryn Bynum | 11 | 10.7% |
Jevon Holland | 12 | 17.1% |
Budda Baker | 28 | 14.8% |
Tyrann Mathieu | 15 | 19.5% |
Justin Simmons | 16 | 19.8% |
Jalen Pitre (2024) | 12 | 16.2% |
The takeaway: Pitre isn’t drastically out of line with many of the league’s top safeties. In fact, veterans like Justin Simmons, Tyrann Mathieu, and Budda Baker—all respected leaders and high-usage defenders—had similar or higher missed tackle rates. So while Pitre's tackling isn't perfect, it's far from a red flag when viewed in context.
And it’s worth remembering: Pitre’s role in 2024 as a "star" defender placed him near the line of scrimmage more often than most safeties, in the mix on run fits, short passes, and quick reaction plays. Those high-contact, high-conflict situations naturally lead to more tackle opportunities—and more chances for a miss. You’re more likely to miss a tackle as essentially an under-sized linebacker trying to stop a running back in space than bringing down a receiver 15 yards downfield after help arrives.
Pitre still needs to clean things up, and it’s fair to say tackling is an area of focus. But considering the role he plays and the improvement he’s made since his rookie year, the narrative around his tackling might deserve more nuance than it's been given.
Life Without Pitre: The Ripple Effect on the Texans’ Defense
When Jalen Pitre suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in Week 12 against the Titans, it wasn’t just the loss of a starting safety — it was the removal of a centerpiece in DeMeco Ryans’ evolving, positionless defense. Pitre’s physicality, versatility, and ability to operate as a hybrid linebacker/nickel created chaos in the box and gave the Texans their edge. Without him, the identity of the unit changed — and it showed.
Houston’s first move was to shift veteran safety Jimmie Ward into the “star” role. Ward had experience in DeMeco’s system, similar physical traits, and the instincts to play around the line of scrimmage. In Weeks 12 through 15, he saw extensive slot and box usage:
Week 12: 24 slot, 7 box
Week 13: 48 slot, 7 box
Week 15: 43 slot, 22 box
Week 16 (before injury): 21 slot, 4 box
Ward played one of his best games of the season in Week 15, earning an 82.9 overall PFF grade, including 82.3 in run defense, 81.8 in tackling, and 80.7 in coverage. He looked like a natural fit in the role — until a season-ending foot injury the following week against the Chiefs ended the Texans' stopgap plan.
Even if Ward had remained healthy, he wasn’t a long-term solution. Now entering his 12th NFL season, Ward has battled injuries frequently and signed just a one-year, $10.5 million extension last offseason. He was vocal during his time in San Francisco about not wanting to play nickel, preferring to stay at high safety. Reportedly, that’s part of what motivated his move to Houston in the first place.
Now, with the Texans acquiring C.J. Gardner-Johnson via trade (in exchange for Kenyon Green), Ward’s role for 2025 likley will shift into a rotational depth piece — able to contribute at strong safety, free safety, or nickel/star as needed.
After Ward’s injury in Week 16, the Texans were caught in an immediate pinch. For one game, rookie Kamari Lassiter filled in. Lassiter had a dominant rookie year at CB2 opposite of Derek Stingley Jr., but he had played some slot at Georgia and stepped up when called upon. He logged:
34 slot snaps
11 box snaps
His performance graded out well in coverage, but he struggled in run defense. Lassiter is more physical than a pure cover corner like Myles Bryant, but asking him to play the “star” full-time would take him out of his best role on the boundary — and even then, he doesn’t bring the linebacker-like downhill presence that Pitre does. His cameo was admirable, but it underscored the importance of having a true hybrid at the position.
Ultimately, the Texans turned to Myles Bryant, a traditional cover nickel. From Week 13 through the Divisional Round, Bryant logged:
117 slot snaps
22 box snaps
5 snaps on the DL
While Bryant provided man coverage ability, the loss of physicality was glaring. He wasn’t used as a blitzer (just 1 hurry) and struggled as a tackler, finishing with:
9 tackles
1 assist
5 missed tackles→ 33.3% missed tackle rate (from week 13 to DP)
For comparison, Pitre had a 16.2% missed tackle rate over the full season while playing a much more physically demanding role.
Whether it was Ward’s injury, Bryant’s limited fit, or Lassiter being used out of position, the Texans couldn’t replicate the unique impact Pitre brought to the field. The domino effect wasn’t just about who replaced him — it was about what the scheme lost without him.
The Drop-Off Was Measurable
From Weeks 1–12, with Pitre in the lineup, the Texans ranked:
4th in EPA/Play allowed
8th in Rush EPA
2nd in Defensive Success Rate (38.5%)
From Week 13 through the Divisional Round, after his injury, those rankings slipped:
8th in EPA/Play
9th in Rush EPA
8th in Success Rate (43.0%)
The defense didn’t fall apart — but it lost its edge. Simulated pressures and run blitzes were less effective. The physical presence around the line of scrimmage faded. And the unit became more reactive and less aggressive on early downs.
As Ryans put it shortly after the injury:
“Jalen has been a true impact player for us... We just miss his instincts, miss his playmaking ability.”
Isolating Pitre’s On-Field Impact
To dig deeper, I used play-by-play data from @nflfastR, filtering for only the snaps where Jalen Pitre was actually on the field — Weeks 1–11 and the first half of Week 12. While these are limited sample sizes and must be viewed with caution — considering factors like opponent strength, matchups, and other Texans injuries — the results still support what the film showed.
Metric | With Pitre | Without Pitre |
Yards per Pass Play | 5.29 | 5.95 |
3rd Down Conversion % | 33.3% | 37.3% |
Turnover Rate | 2.3% | 1.9% |
The Texans improved slightly in some run defense metrics without Pitre, but the decline in pass efficiency allowed, third down stops, and takeaways — all areas Pitre directly affects — was clear.
These aren’t just stats — they’re a reflection of how the Texans’ defensive engine changed without one of its most disruptive, adaptable, and vocal contributors. Whether you’re watching the tape or running the numbers, the conclusion is the same: Jalen Pitre mattered.
Recovery on Track
Pitre is well ahead of schedule in his rehab and is expected to be ready for offseason activities.
Speaking to KPRC2 in January, he said:
“The training staff is doing an unbelievable job of keeping me on track and challenging me every day. I’m thankful to be here and I’m looking forward to the future.”
And when asked about staying in Houston long-term, he made it clear:
“I want to be a Texan.”
Projecting Jalen Pitre’s Contract: A Unique Cross-Positional Case
Determining the right extension value for Jalen Pitre isn’t as straightforward as plugging him into the traditional safety market. His role in DeMeco Ryans’ scheme is unlike almost any other player in the league — and because of that, his value must be evaluated from multiple positional perspectives.
Pitre’s usage aligns with three different positions:
Safety: His official designation, and where he'll be listed in contract negotiations.
Nickel corner: Where he most frequently aligns in the formation (434 slot snaps in 2024).
Outside/SAM linebacker: In the Texans’ 4-2-5 base, he acts as a third linebacker — frequently blitzing, filling run gaps, and covering short/intermediate zones.
Because of this, his value is a blend of all three roles — but he’ll be classified as a safety for extension purposes, which is important when comparing value.
Safety Market Comps
Player | Years | Total Value | APY | Guaranteed | Notes |
Budda Baker | 3 | $54M | $18M | $30M | Veteran leader, hybrid slot/box defender |
Camryn Bynum | 4 | $60M | $15M | $30M | Strong tackler, hybrid FS/safety |
Jevon Holland | 3 | $45.3M | $15.1M | $30.3M | Versatile deep and box safety |
Talanoa Hufanga | 3 | $39M | $13M | $20M | Physical, downhill presence |
These deals suggest a clear market range for top-performing, non-elite safeties: $15–16M APY with ~$30M guaranteed. That’s the most appropriate baseline for Pitre’s contract — not because he plays deep like a traditional free safety, but because he takes on significantly more physically demanding responsibilities as a slot/box defender and pseudo-linebacker.
Linebacker Comps (Role-Based)
Pitre essentially plays as a third linebacker in Houston’s base package — especially in the "star" role — so it’s useful to compare him to recent coverage linebackers and weakside LBs:
Player | Years | Total Value | APY | Guaranteed | Notes |
Nick Bolton | 3 | $45M | $15M | $30M | MIKE LB, leader with strong instincts and zone coverage skills |
Terrel Bernard | 4 | $42.1M | $10.5M | $23.9M | Undersized, fast, used in blitz/coverage roles |
Derrick Barnes | 3 | $24M | $8M | $16M | More traditional run-first LB |
Divine Deablo | 2 | $14M | $7M | $6.7M | Safety-to-LB convert, plays WILL/SAM hybrid — a closer comp to Pitre’s style |
This group shows a clear trend: linebackers — even those in modern, hybrid roles — generally make less than top-tier safeties. That’s why Pitre’s classification is important, and why his number should be driven more by the safety market than linebacker comps.
Nickel Corner Market (Alignment-Based Only)
Though not a corner by trade, Pitre aligns primarily in the slot — and it’s worth glancing at the market for full-time nickel defenders for context:
Player | Years | APY | Notes |
Nate Hobbs | 4 | $12M | Physical nickel, good in run support |
Jourdan Lewis | 3 | $10M | Veteran cover-only slot |
Mike Hughes | 3 | $6M | Depth nickel DB |
These figures show that nickel CBs are earning well below what hybrid safeties and coverage linebackers command. Pitre’s impact — as a tackler, communicator, and chess piece in pressure looks — goes well beyond a typical slot corner’s role.
Why Positional Designation & Contract Structure Matter
This situation isn’t entirely new. It mirrors the ongoing NFL debate around hybrid positions and contract values — most notably:
Tight ends who block like linemen but produce like wide receivers, leading to franchise tag debates and arguments that they should be compensated closer to WRs.
While Pitre isn’t being franchise tagged, the concept still applies: his camp will rightly argue that he’s not a traditional safety and deserves to be paid at the higher end of the safety market — not dragged down by comparisons to linebackers or slot-only corners.
And it’s worth remembering that teams don’t structure contracts purely around APY. The Texans could offer more guaranteed money up front, like they did with Derek Stingley Jr., to bring down the annual average in exchange for long-term security. That kind of structure gives Houston cap flexibility while still rewarding the player.
Also, a $15–16M cap hit is relatively modest when compared to top players at premium positions — especially for a player who blitzes like a linebacker, covers like a safety, and sets the tone on defense.
Comparing to the Elite Safety Market
For reference, here are the highest-paid safeties in football by average salary:
Player | APY | Guaranteed | Signed |
Antoine Winfield Jr. | $21.0M | $45M | 2024 |
Derwin James | $19.1M | $38.6M | 2022 |
Minkah Fitzpatrick | $18.4M | $36M | 2022 |
Marcus Williams | $14.0M | $32M | 2022 |
Xavier McKinney | $16.75M | $23M | 2024 |
Jessie Bates III | $16.0M | $36M | 2023 |
Even the top of the market continues to rise — and many of these deals were signed 1–2 years ago. That means the "market rate" for high-end safeties in 2025 will likely be even higher. Locking in Pitre now keeps the Texans ahead of that curve.
Timing & Cap Implications
Because Pitre still has one year left on his rookie deal, the Texans can extend him now and beat the market before he’s a top free agent in 2025 (ESPN’s Matt Bowen ranked him as a projected top-4 DB available).
And while fans may raise concerns about saving space for C.J. Stroud or Will Anderson Jr., it’s important to note:
Their big cap hits won’t arrive until 2028 or 2029.
The Texans can exercise fifth-year options and stagger deals smartly.
A Pitre extension would actually save around $2M against the 2024 cap (per OverTheCap), which can be rolled over to future years.
My Estimate vs. What the Texans Might Offer
After digging through all the comps and considering Houston’s roster strategy under Nick Caserio, here’s the balanced view:
What I would offer:
3 years, $42–45 million$14–15M APY, $28–30M guaranteedThis rewards a homegrown player with leadership qualities, hybrid production, and a perfect fit in DeMeco’s scheme — without overextending the top of the market.
What I believe the Texans might go up to:
3 years, $48 million$16M APY, $32M guaranteed. This is in line with Budda Baker and Jevon Holland and would be a show of good faith toward a core defender whose presence directly impacted the defense’s identity.
And remember — Caserio has now extended Nico Collins, Derek Stingley Jr., and Danielle Hunter. He’s setting a precedent: if you produce, stay healthy, and live the SWARM mindset — you’ll be rewarded.
Pitre checks every box.
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