Texans to release veteran DE Mario Addison 

With the new league officially underway, a flurry of roster moves continue to take place. The Texans remain busy, but their actions will result in veteran defensive end Mario Addison being released, as noted by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2.

The 30-year-old joined the Texans last offseason, as one of a pair of veteran pass rushers who headed to Houston ahead of a rebuilding year. That two-year, $7.7M deal allowed him to continue his career with a sixth different franchise, following a two-year stint with the Bills.

Addison’s 12 sacks in Buffalo proved that he could still be a productive option on the edge, though he wasn’t able to replicate that success in 2022. Logging a snap share of 45% — his lowest mark since 2015 — he registered a single sack and only a pair of QB hits this season. 

He was limited to 12 games due to a groin injury, and was used in much more of a rotational capacity than fellow free agent signing Jerry Hughes.

The former UDFA was set to count for $4.4M on the cap in 2023, and roughly one third of his base salary was guaranteed. This move will give Houston $2.3M in cap savings, and generate a dead money charge of $2.1M. 

Designating him as a post-June 1 release would make more sense financially, though a new contract allowing him to remain in Houston is also possible.

Wilson notes that the Texans are still open to the idea of re-signing Addison on a more modest deal. The team still has Hughes (who notched nine sacks in 2022) on the books for next season, but they are set to lose a key young member of their pass rushing corps with Obo Okoronkwo having agreed to terms on a deal with the Browns. 

Addison could help fill that void to a degree if he wises to come back, or he could look elsewhere on what would surely be another short-term deal in the waning stages of his career.