Houston Texans beef up offensive line by trading with Buccaneers
TEXANS NEWS
14 March 2023
Texans trade for guard Shaq Mason. Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images.
The Houston Texans needed some help on the offensive line and they addressed it by trading for Tampa Bay guard Shaq Mason on Tuesday.
It's a late-round pick swap, a 6th rounder for a 7th rounder, in the trade of Shaq Mason. https://t.co/MHlxteQhE9
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2023
This deal is basically a salary dump for the Buccaneers, as they are receiving a 6th round pick and sending Mason and a 7th rounder to Houston. This trade clears about $5 million in salary cap for Tampa, and the Texans get an upgrade at guard.
Mason will be 30 years old when the season begins and he started all 17 games for the Bucs in 2022.
Texans GM Nick Caserio is very familiar with Mason, as he was with the Patriots when Mason was drafted in 2015.
Houston looks pretty solid at the guard and tackle positions, with Laremy Tunsil, Tytus Howard, Kenyon Green, and now Mason.
It looks like the Texans are moving on from guard AJ Cann, per Aaron Wilson.
Source: #Texans release A.J. Cann after replacing him with trade for Shaq Mason @KPRC2 https://t.co/94O7dqJ95M https://t.co/QtUD2IflAj
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 14, 2023
Hopefully, the Texans can address center next, either in free agency or the draft. The team re-signed center Scott Quessenberry recently, but his performance last season confirmed his level of play is not suited to be a starter.
The Texans also added free agent safety/slot corner Jimmie Ward on Monday night. Ward should fit right in to the Texans new defense, having played for DeMeco Ryans in San Francisco. The deal is for 2-years, $13 million.
#Texans two-year, $13 million deal for new safety Jimmie Ward has $4 million signing bonus, salaries of $2.5M (fully gtd), $5.5M ($2M fully gtd), up to $500K in per game active roster bonuses annual, total guaranteed money $8.5 million @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 14, 2023
Alex Bregman is officially heading to Boston, agreeing to a 3-year, $120 million dollar contract this week.
Where do the Astros go from here, and what does it mean for Houston in the short and long-term?
Don't miss the video above as ESPN Houston's John Granato and Lance Zierlein react to Bregman's departure.
