The Houston Texans have a lot of salary cap space for 2024. After the NFL raised the cap to a record-high $255.4 million, Houston will have an around estimated $67.5 million in space this season, per Over The Cap.
This will give Houston a lot of financial flexibility this spring, either to extend or re-sign their players or spend lavishly in free agency. The Texans could even trade for and extend a deal-seeking veteran as well.
But all that cap space doesn’t mean Houston doesn’t have dead money to deal with this offseason. The Texans have about $13.7 million in dead money owed this year to players who either aren’t on the team anymore or whose contracts automatically voided after the 2023 season. That ranks 12th in the NFL, per OTC. That number could also rise if Houston elects to release other players to save even more money.
Here’s how the Texans owe $13.7 million in dead cap money.
DT Sheldon Rankins – $5.25 million
Rankins signed a one-year deal with the Texans in 2023 that included three void years. That’s where his dead money comes into play. The veteran played well for Houston this past season with six sacks and 10 quarterback pressures.
TE Dalton Schultz – $3.375 million
Schultz is another player who signed a cheaper one-year deal that included three void years. He is set to become a free agent after he finished with 59 catches for 635 yards and five touchdowns.
Schultz said he’d like to return to the team in 2024, but it’s unclear what type of contract he could command on the open market. He’s also a franchise tag candidate if the Texans truly covet his skillset.
DE Jerry Hughes – $2.14 million
Hughes signed a two-year deal with Houston in 2022 that included four void years. The veteran had a solid first year with the Texans with nine sacks but only wracked up three in 2023.
CB Shaquill Griffin – $1.2 million
Houston signed Griffin to a one-year deal in 2023, but he only lasted 10 games with the Texans. Griffin started six games and tallied 33 combined tackles with four defended passes.
CB Steven Nelson – $1.134 million
Similar to Hughes, Nelson signed a two-year deal in 2022 with four void years. He proved to be an effective second cornerback alongside Derek Stingley Jr. and tied his season career-high with four interceptions in 2023.
Nelson also returned an interception for a touchdown in Houston’s wild card win over the Cleveland Browns. TexansWire named Nelson the 10th-most impactful player this season and he
DE Thomas Booker – $168,204
The Texans cut Booker before the 2023 season despite being drafted in the fifth round by Houston in 2022. He will also count $84,103 against the 2025 salary cap. Booker had 15 combined tackles in 10 games for the Texans in 2022.
RB Mike Boone – $150,000
Boone signed a two-year, $3.1 million deal with the Texans in 2023 but was released on Dec. 18 after only 12 touches in nine games. He recently signed a reserve/future contract with the Carolina Panthers.
