Jalen Pitre, Texans Reportedly Agree to 3-Year, $39M Contract in NFL Free Agency

Having been a full-time starter in each of his first three seasons, Jalen Pitre has been rewarded with a new contract from the Houston Texans.

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Pitre agreed to terms on a three-year, $39 million extension with the Texans.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero added the deal includes $29.2 million in guaranteed money and makes Pitre the highest-paid nickel defender in the league.

This is the second major deal of the offseason that Houston has made for a key player in its secondary. Derek Stingley Jr. became the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history after receiving a three-year, $90 million extension in March.

Since DeMeco Ryans took over as head coach in 2023, the strength of Houston's roster has been the defense. The unit ranked third in DVOA last season, behind only the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings.

Pitre arrived in Houston one year before Ryans as part of the team's 2022 draft class. He was a second-round pick out of Baylor and started all 17 games as a rookie, leading the team with 147 combined tackles and five interceptions.

The 2023 season was a step back for Pitre, though he did record six tackles for loss from the safety position.

With Jimmie Ward and Eric Murray serving as the starting safeties last season, Pitre entered training camp playing in the nickel spot. He had some familiarity with the position after playing the "STAR" role—a hybrid linebacker-cornerback—in his final two seasons at Baylor.

The move paid off with Pitre tying his career-high with eight passes defensed in 12 games. Thomas Valentine of Pro Football Focus named him the most improved player on the Texans during the 2024 season, touting his development as a run defender and seven pressures on 49 pass-rush attempts.

Pitre's 2024 campaign ended prematurely due to a torn pectoral muscle suffered in a Week 12 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Getting Pitre back at full strength in 2025 only increases the depth of talent on a strong Houston defense. The Texans have a Super Bowl-caliber defense already. If they can build up the offensive line around C.J. Stroud, they have the pieces necessary to be a serious threat to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC next season.