Jalen Pitre's Contract Extension Seems a Year Too Early
The Texans are betting on a player DeMeco Ryans trusts a ton
The Houston Texans extended Jalen Pitre on Friday. The fourth-year defensive back gets $39 million in new money over three years. Pitre is now under contract for the next four seasons.
The new deal comes after decent success in 2024 at his new position.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans moved Pitre to nickel cornerback in training camp last year. It was a position change for Pitre after his underperforming first season with Ryans saw him get benched late in the season.
The move paid off for the Texans.
Ryans trusted Pitre immediately. In the first two months, Pitre played nearly every snap on defense as Ryans opted to go with five defensive backs on the field. Pitre was a terror near the line of scrimmage. He helped in stuffing the run. The move unleashed Pitre around the line of scrimmage and unlocked an outlet for his aggressive style. He was a heat-seeking missile.
It wasn’t all good.
Pitre was bad in coverage compared to the rest of the team. He was the only defensive back who regularly played to allow a passer rating over 100. He didn’t force tight window throws. Opposing offenses picked on him with good results.
The results came in 12 games as Pitre suffered a season-ending pectoral muscle injury in November. The Texans didn’t wait, but they could have. Pitre’s new deal put him among the highest-paid specialty defensive backs. Was that necessary after one partial season at the new position?
One more season before the contract extension would have created greater faith that Pitre is worth it. His average annual value for the next four years is over $10 million per year. I can’t with confidence say he’s worth that today. If the Texans waited, he would be more expensive, but there’d be more than three quarters of a season of results to judge.
Nickel cornerback. Slot cornerback. Star linebacker. The “Pitre Position,” as I coined it. Call it whatever you like, Pitre is here to stay and play it.
I Like This But…
The Houston Texans should try to add a running back in the upcoming draft. There is something for everyone when it comes to this running back class. Here are some of the top running backs with something I like about their game and what I don’t like about their game.
North Carolina Running Back Omarion Hampton
I love the production and profile of Hampton. He’s likened to Joe Mixon in draft comparisons. I just don’t know how the Texans get a crack at him in the draft. 25th overall feels too early for the Texans with other needs and options in this running back class. He won’t be there at 58th overall. He’s good enough to take the risk, but it adds pressure to filling other holes on offense.