How latest report indicates Houston Texans have taken another step as a franchise

MONEY TALKS

How latest report indicates Houston Texans have taken another step as a franchise
Danielle Hunter turned down more money from the Colts? Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Texans have received a lot of praise for their approach to free agency, especially the signing of Danielle Hunter, the best pass-rusher on the market.

But things could have gone very different. Just before the weekend, it was revealed that the Colts actually offered Hunter more money, but he opted to join the Texans instead.

While geography likely played a role in his decision, he grew up in Katy, the Texans' ability to quickly turn things around and become a legit contender had to be the deciding factor.

With DeMeco Ryans, CJ Stroud, and Will Anderson leading the team for the foreseeable future, Hunter must have liked his chances better in Houston.

Hunter will be thirty years old this season, so he's starting to run out of time if he wants to win a Super Bowl before he retires. Which explains why he would pick the Texans over the Colts.

The Colts weren't bad last season, and they do have a talented roster with a respected GM and head coach. But the quarterback situation is a bit of an unknown, with rookie Anthony Richardson missing most of the season with a shoulder injury.

In fact, the Colts took some heat for their approach to free agency. They re-signed a lot of their own players, but didn't make splashy moves like the Texans did. Clearly, they were hoping that Hunter would be their big free agent pickup, but he preferred joining the Texans, even if it was for less money.

As a Texans fan, this feels great. The organization was considered arguably the worst franchise in the NFL over the last several seasons. And, now, players not only want to join the team, but they're willing to take less money to come to Houston? Quite the turnaround DeMeco and GM Nick Caserio have pulled off.

A lot can happen in a year.

Be sure to check out the above below as Craig from Sports Talk Extra reacts to the news.

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Rockets defeat the Warriors, 91-90. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.

Jalen Green made two free throws with 3.5 seconds left and the Houston Rockets beat the Golden State Warriors 91-90 on Wednesday night to advance to the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas.

Houston snapped a 15-game skid against the Warriors, winning for the first time in the series since Feb. 20, 2020. The Rockets will face Oklahoma City, which beat Dallas in the other West quarterfinal game on Tuesday night, in the semifinals on Saturday.

Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 26 points and 11 rebounds and Jabari Smith Jr. added 15 points.

Houston led by 14 before falling behind late to set up the thrilling finish.

Houston trailed by six with about 1 1/2 minutes left before Fred VanVleet made a 3-pointer and Sengun added a layup with 27 seconds to go to cut the lead to one.

Stephen Curry missed a 3-pointer with 11 seconds left and Gary Payton II grabbed the rebound, but Green intercepted his pass and was fouled by Jonathan Kuminga to set up the winning free throws.

The Warriors had a chance to win it at the buzzer but Smith blocked Brandin Podziemski’s 3-point attempt.

Takeaways

Warriors: Golden State beat the Rockets twice this season without Curry before losing Wednesday in a game where he had 19 points.

Rockets: This young team showed poise in finishing this one after squandering a double-digit lead.

Key moment

Green’s hustle on getting the ball late to draw the foul to set up the winning free throws.

Key stat

Houston won despite making just 6 of 27 3-pointers.

Up next

While Houston heads to Las Vegas this weekend, the Warriors will return to regular-season play Sunday at Dallas.

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