Houston Texans make a wise move with Gareon Conley’s contract

The Houston Texans made a wise decision when it came down to the terms of Gareon Conley’s contract. What’s going on and why? Let’s investigate.

The Houston Texans offseason is certainly underway, especially with us not knowing how long it will be as the globe fights a serious pandemic that has shut down sports for nearly two months and counting.

I’d never think in my lifetime that something would be able to cancel sports, this is something that’s typically undefeated and many people invest their time and money to because they no it’s going to pay off.

There may a hurricane, a snowstorm, a power outage, or whatever variable to put games on hold but nothing like this.  The example aforementioned variables only delay things but with this virus, we honestly don’t know how long it will be.  So we all must just wait, protect and take care of ourselves — and each other — as much as we can and hope for the best.

The NFL is still slated to release its schedule May 9 as it’s confident that it can get things started this fall, likely in an environment without fans.  It still remains to be seen that whatever schedule is released would likely either be curtailed or modified based on the conditions of this public health crisis.

But anyway, let’s talk about the now. The Houston Texans have a lot of decisions in regard to how to build the roster for this season.  They’ve drafted five guys: Ross Blacklock, Jonathan Greenard, Charlie Heck, John Reid and Isaiah Coulter and have signed nine undrafted free agents.

In addition, they’ve released veteran safety Tashaun Gipson from the roster because of his terrible bout with injuries, likely not confident on his effectiveness this season.  He was sidelined just before the playoffs last season because of a back injury.

The latest decision by the Bill O’Brien front office is that they’ve decided not to execute the fifth-year option — worth $10.24 million — for cornerback Gareon Conley.

Conley was acquired last season for a third-rounder from the Oakland Raiders and although not perfect, he actually was quite decent at being able to handle his position efficiently.

However, the Houston Texans — as well as myself — need to see more from him in order for him to warrant another contract.

So now that they won’t pick up his option, he becomes a free agent after this season and the

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Houston Texans have the say-so on whether they bring him back or if he’ll hit the road, seeking another home.

Conley, a former first-round pick out of the 2017 NFL Draft, may not get the long-term deal that most players of his stature seek.

He’ll have to prove it out on the field and then the team can discuss options at the end of the season.  With the massive contracts of Laremy Tunsil and Deshaun Watson looming, the Houston Texans are getting ahead of the curve by making sure a Conley’s option doesn’t inhibit their cap flexibility.

Right now, that won’t be the case as he will earn $1.9 million this season at least in base pay and it will up to him to increase that number over time.  It’ll be interesting to see how this shakes out.

Conley, 24, accumulated 27 tackles and 11 passes defensed through eight games — six starts — last season, including 10 tackles, one sack and three passes defensed in the team’s playoff games against the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.