The NFL’s new league is coming, and the legal tampering period begins at 12 p.m. Teams across the league are trying to retain key players before they hit the free agent market.
The Houston Texans have been busy this offseason as they make several moves to build their roster. Now they have finalized a deal to retain one of their key defensive contributors.
More: Dolphins’ release of Tua Tagovailoa sets new NFL record for dead cap hits.
According to reports, the Texans have signed Sheldon Rankins to a two-year extension that includes $12 million in new guarantees.
Houston had one of the best defenses in the NFL last season, and that unit helped keep a struggling offense going for a postseason appearance.
Rankins was instrumental in that success. In the Texans’ wild card matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he scooped up a fumble and returned it for a touchdown, extending Houston’s lead and effectively putting the game out of reach.
MORE: Philadelphia Eagles sign Jordan Davis to massive contract.
The extension also continues Rankins’ second stint in Texas. The former 2016 first-round pick previously played on Houston’s 2023 squad, which also delivered a dominant wild-card performance.
January 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Houston Texans owner Carl McNair greets defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (90) after the AFC Wild Card round game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Accreiser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Rankins spent the 2024 season with the Cincinnati Bengals before returning to Houston in 2025. This extension will allow the Texans to protect him for the next two seasons as they look to build an elite defensive performance.
In 2025, Rankins recorded three sacks, five tackles for loss and started all 17 games for the Texans.
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