The release of Zach Cunningham by the Houston Texans shows just how bad the division rival of the Colts is.
Entering Week 14, the Houston Texans are 2-10, the only team officially eliminated from playoff contention, and somehow, things just got even worse for the franchise.
On Tuesday, Houston decided to release veteran linebacker Zach Cunningham. Cunningham, who’s in his fifth year, led the NFL in tackles during the 2020 season and signed a four-year, $58 million contract extension with the Texans last season.
$23.5 million of that extension is guaranteed, so that means Houston paid $9 million this season to a player who won’t even finish the season with the team and will now have a $12.8 million dead cap hit next season thanks to his onerous contract.
Fortunately for the Colts, senseless moves like this one have become a habit in Houston.
The #Texans are moving on from LB Zach Cunningham, source confirms. Though he made nearly $9M this year, his base for the entire season was $900K. So chance he gets claimed. https://t.co/abN8Mx0MtT
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 8, 2021
Texans continue to look clueless as they attempt rebuild. Colts rejoice!
Not long ago, Houston dominated the AFC South, winning the division four times in the five seasons from 2015-2019. Since then, they have shipped away JJ Watt and DeAndre Hopkins and have entered into a nasty saga with Deshaun Watson that has resulted in the team paying Watson despite him not playing amid a trade request and serious allegations.
All of this has led to horrible on-field product for the Texans, who’ve gone 6-22 in the last season and a half. With the current roster, cap situation, and draft picks, it doesn’t look like Houston’s team will drastically improve any time soon.
While that is horrible for the Texans and their fan base, it is great for the Colts, who demolished Houston 31-0 in both teams’ most recent outing.
The incompetence of the Texans gives Indianapolis the chance to consistently compete with the Tennessee Titans as the top two teams in the AFC South, and the division race will come down to those two teams for a second consecutive season.
Houston could prove useful for the Colts if they can upset the Titans in Week 18, but Indy would be fools to put their hopes in the hands of a franchise that can’t even do things right for itself.
This insane stat further proves how great Jonathan Taylor is
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