The NFL offseason is one of the most exciting times to be a football fan, and a lot of that has to do with the hundreds of millions of dollars that are thrown around each spring. The Houston Texans haven't hesitated to join in on the 2025 offseason action, having already lured the likes of tackle Cam Robinson and linebacker E.J. Speed town in the last few weeks.
Having said that, the Texans have also extended some key players this spring. Houston signed standout cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. to a record-breaking $90 million extension shortly after free agency opened before inking star pass rusher Danielle Hunter to a $35.6 million extension just a few days later.
With all the extension money that's been thrown around, one key Texans defender has made it clear that he wants to be the next named signed.
Texans DB Jalen Pitre Wants Contract Extension Amid Uncertain Future
Texans defensive back Jalen Pitre attended a local event at Houston's Bang Elementary School on Monday afternoon. After the festivities wrapped up, KPRC 2 Houston's Aaron Wilson asked the 25-year-old ballhawk about potentially signing an extension as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.
"I definitely want to keep it going," Pitre said, adding that his local and familial ties to Houston are playing a factor. "I definitely want to continue playing for the Houston Texans. This is my city and I love my city... I know it's going to take care of itself."
#Texans nickel Jalen Pitre on mutual interest between him and hometown team about potential extension 'I definitely want to continue playing for the Houston Texans. This is my city and I love my city. I know it's going to take care of itself' @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/xJ5t0zB0UN
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 7, 2025
Pitre lives and breathes Houston, so it isn't surprising that he wants to continue his NFL career here. He was born and raised in nearby Stafford, staying in town for high school football before attending Baylor University in Waco, just three hours north of Houston.
Much to his delight, Pitre got to remain local to begin his NFL career, as the Texans drafted him 37th overall in 2022 after being named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Even though he's yet to win an individual accolade as a pro, the 25-year-old pass disruptor has cemented himself as one of the league's top young DBs. He's recorded 201 solo tackles, 21 defended passes, six interceptions, and a pair of forced fumbles in 44 regular-season starts, and even tallied six more solo efforts with a broken-up pass in two 2024 playoff outings.
That's without mentioning how Pitre thrived last season in his first full year as the Texans' primary nickel back. The former Baylor DB thrived spending most of his time in the slot, finishing as one of Pro Football Focus' highest-graded cornerbacks in terms of coverage (71.3, 27th), run stoppage (79.5, 22nd), and overall defense (73.9, 26th).
Assuming he picks up from where he left off next season, Pitre is more than deserving of a long-term extension. His projected annual market value currently sits at $11.3 million on Spotrac. Although he might not deserve as much money as Stingley, the local defender is clearly a big part of the Texans' recent success, and losing him could do irreparable harm to the secondary.
In other words, $11.3 million annually is a fair price if Pitre maintains his current form for the next four-plus years.
If the Texans and Pitre want to avoid extension talks possibly being an offseason direction, it's in both sides' best interest to iron out a deal sooner rather than later.