The NFL offseason has not only been a busy time for current Houston Texans but also for the franchise's former players. Several Texans free agents left Houston for opportunities elsewhere, including wideout Stefon Diggs (New England Patriots), safety Eric Murray (Jacksonville Jaguars), and quarterback Case Keenum (Chicago Bears).
With this year's organized team activities (OTAs) quickly approaching, time is running out for ex-Texans free agents to find new playing opportunities. One former Houston wideout was lucky enough to land a new contract just before OTAs began; however, it's safe to say that his opportunity is coming in a less-than-ideal destination.
Former Texans WR Jadon Janke Signs With Packers Before OTAs
On Wednesday afternoon, ESPN NFL insider Rob Demovsky reported that the Green Bay Packers are signing ex-Texans wide receiver Jadon Janke before OTAs begin. The contract signing came just hours after Janke reportedly had a successful workout with the Packers, per Sports Illustrated's Bill Huber.
Janke is a 6-foot-2, 212-pound receiver who — along with identical twin brother Jaxon — joined the Texans as a 2024 undrafted free agent out of South Dakota State. The 25-year-old playmaker showed plenty of potential throughout his time with the Jackrabbits, hauling in 170 catches for 2,800 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns across 68 career outings.
Janke went on to play two preseason games with the Texans, but it didn't amount to much as he failed to catch a ball in either outing. He was promptly waived by Houston after his second appearance only to be signed by the Miami Dolphins one week later. Unfortunately, he never found a way to play himself into the Dolphins' lineup.
It's hard to imagine Janke's outlook improving much with the Packers. Green Bay has one of the deepest WR rooms in the NFL, boasting names like Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks, as well as incoming rookie playmakers Matthew Golden and Savion Williams.
Regardless of any of the aforementioned group's weaknesses, it's tough to envision a world where Janke takes any of their spots in the lineup. In fact, he's unlikely to even make Green Bay's practice squad unless his training camp and preseason performances are much better than what he showed last year.
It won't be long until more clarity about Janke's future is known. The Packers' OTAs start on Tuesday, May 27, and it'll be soon after that when fans should know if the ex-Texans WR has a legitimate shot at cracking the 53-man roster.