Nick Caserio Just Flipped the Script! Texans Create $40M Swing in Cap Space Before NFL Free Agency

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Casserole got himself ready for next week's free agency period

before going into the weekend

by creating a ton of Saturday cap space to play with.

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Fun show lined up today.

I want to talk about why I am tired of waiting, right?

We got some good things happening for Houston over the last couple of days.

Saturday cap created.

I'm tired of win.

What will the Houston Texans do?

The suspense is killing me when we get everything kicked off Monday

and then officially Wednesday.

So let's also talk about what's to come.

What should we expect from Nick Serio and his team for the following weeks?

It won't all just be next week.

The major deals, the big money deals.

Those will get done next week, right?

But free agency period is a period that in many ways can last after the draft.

Once teams get a feel for how the draft went and the available guys are still out there in that pool.

So let's talk about what should we expect.

What's to come.

But also it was a wizard work in the last couple of days.

Nick Serio did an amazing job extending the salary cap for Houston.

So that's exactly where I want to start today's show.

Shout out to my every day.

It's from him and Lance from making the Lockdown Texans podcast.

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And I am in Texas credential.

We need remember football analyst John Hickman, Houston is currently top team in effective salary cap space.

Going from roughly negative 10 million to now a little over 30 million.

Houston got to this point because of the digs.

Stingling engine and Petri restructures.

The Daniel Hunter extension and Montgomery and Titus Howard trades.

Shout out to Nick Serio, man.

In many ways.

I think Houston has a bunch of team players to help make this happen.

I'm indifferent on the Hunter extension because on one hand.

Hunter doesn't look like he's slowing down.

And in many ways, he looked like he got better last season.

So rewarding one of the driving forces of the defense is awesome.

No doubt about that.

But the 2027 cap hit is extremely high.

And I wonder does this take away from potential players that Houston could use.

On a long term deal, considering 2027 will be the first year for either Will Anderson or CJ Stroud.

Major extension contract.

Payout, unless Houston looks to pick up to 50 options on both of those players.

I think that they will pick it up on one and that one player is CJ Stroud.

So hopefully I'm not off on that.

But bringing Hunter back, I think it's still a major.

He has been perfect opposite of Will Anderson, Jr.

And another thing is, I've said it before I said again.

As long as Kamari Lasseter is on that rookie deal, Houston has a championship window

that they want to maximize and operate in.

Because I think once the team offers to throw something out there for Kamari,

I don't think he's going to come back to Houston.

And now they want to make sure that their best guys are still in house.

So, but for right now, Hunter, the Hunter move keeps Houston defense where it already is.

And also Don shows getting an extension his fire.

He balled out last year and covered up many of the problems within that tight end road

being that solid driving, singular force that the offense needed throughout the year.

In many ways, I think Houston is prepared to hit on the guys they like and free agency.

But I don't think that's a lot of players for Houston.

I don't think Houston has a lot of these guys that may be viewed highly with any organization

enough to pay major money to.

I think it's just a couple of those players.

And Houston is prepared to have the space needed to get them to Houston.

At the Friday, it feels like the best word to describe Houston right now is prepared.

And that's really all you can ask for.

They, it feels like this was phase one of the plan.

All right guys, let's address the needs, let's assess the needs.

In order to do that, we have to get out of the red.

Now Houston is operating in the green to the point where thanks to Nikisario,

they were at the bottom in terms of spending cash.

To start the cycle because they were in a negative, I know what other teams,

but now they're looking at being in the top 10.

And so for Houston, all you can expect moving forward is.

All right, now we have the money and they've already talked to some of these players agents.

And there's already an understanding, right?

We know how these things work in preparing for Monday,

which is the legal tampering period.

Now, where deals can maybe get announced,

but players essentially still have two days to back out of a deal.

But for Houston, what more can you ask for?

They feel prepared.

It feels like the Texans are prepared.

It feels like Kiserio, Domingo,

and everybody in their front office knew exactly what they needed to do to get to a place where

they have the flexibility to get the players in the building that are from here.

They're going to take care of their guys that are free agents first.

They're going to take care of some of the in-house players that play last season first.

So be prepared for that.

But it feels like they're playing a set.

And now we can get ready to go into Monday where things can really get out of control.

We're going to get some chaos next week.

I really believe it's going to be a chaotic week links with the kickoff free agency.

But Houston had the money that they need.

So I know Houston brings back Trent Brown on a deal work up to $7 million.

Good insurance that won't take away from Houston either upgrading the right tackle spot in the draft

or the financials will hurt them.

It won't hurt Houston if they decide that Blake Fisher has reached another level in his game

and everything has finally come together for him to be the starting right tackle.

So I'm interested in that as well to see what Blake Fisher can do this year.

And also I think Houston may view this tackle class like many teams this year.

They mute.

They may view the tackle class in the light where it's game changes.

And also again, we talk about the tackle class for the NFL this year.

The guard for free agency, the guard market for the Houston Texans feels like in many ways they may get priced out.

So what's next? What should we expect from Houston Texans?

Should we expect from them to maybe go all in on center and upgrade the guards in the draft?

Maybe they go all in on center, have somebody left over for maybe a tidying in to come help this room out?

Who knows?

But I think we need to be prepared for just solid signings next week.

We'll get that one.

But after that, be prepared for a team that's putting together.

Maybe the mid to back end of their draft.

But so please forgive me.

I'm still under the weather. I lost my voice.

But with that being said, it's important to look at what's to come for the Houston Texans.

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Welcome back, Rockets on Texans listeners and viewers.

The texts are expected to part ways with Christian Kurt.

Along with Nick Chubb, the Nico Archery,

followed by the county Christian Harris and Braxton burials.

Christian Harris and all of these guys feels like, man, what happened?

What really happened?

He was really expected to be a guy in that linebacker room.

Make the play against the Browns.

The following year misses all most of the season.

Comes back.

Every team just played himself into the role.

And the Christian Harris was out of the role.

The following year, EJ Speed gets signed and seems like he was never able to get back on the field.

The field was essentially put on special teams to make plays.

But you want to see Christian Harris be able to make some plays at the end for another team moving forward.

Because I mean, the tools were there.

He just never was able to put it together.

He used to want children rank his back.

He's also interested in coming back.

Tim Settle Jr. is expected to test the market at Ingram and the guard market overall will be expensive.

Could price the Houston Texans out of.

Bringing him back.

This is per Ann Wilson.

So again, I think between Monday and Wednesday, we'll see Houston allows some of the big moves to be made.

So Nick Demiko in the front office staff can see how the market dictates itself a little bit more before striking.

Houston will get some of their guys who are already free agents back into the fold.

I think we'll see some one of your deals signed first for the Houston Texans.

And I think the initial, the first initial contract extension will see.

We see now really created the opportunity for them to take care of their players who are already Texans first while ultimately getting out of the red.

So the wave of the Petrie, the, the Neil Hunter, the next thing when they got those contracts, restructure or extended that was for them to get into place where they have.

I think they're going to have a room to take care of their guys that they really want back and also have the money to once they make another country, country extension, which I'm looking at the maybe in the Z's or something like that.

They'll have the money to fill out what they want to do in free agency.

I would expect two to three solid signings from outside of the building where maybe one of those being a highly regarded player at their position.

Of course, the center position. I think that's where Houston is going to upgrade.

Cicero has signed more free agents than any other GM in the last three years.

So expect to see plenty of those one year proven deals that he is notorious for.

Now last season, Houston's offensive line struggles significantly breaking 30 out of 32 teams and ESPN's past block win rate metric.

They finished their last and run block win rate.

Currently, I'm missing the top two offensive linemen from 2025, Titus Howard in their second best and angry who is set to become a free agent with the first created.

I think Houston looks to address the vet.

They believe can glue between the tackles that can help get their.

The 50 seats to a place on the offensive line with their plan at a higher rate.

I also expect for some motion between the Z's within the next week.

Which would help create some cap space for this cycle.

I would not be shocked if we got the move for these four Z's by Tuesday.

Once the legal temperate period starts and the numbers start to get thrown around.

I think in a Z's extension would give Houston just enough to accomplish their free agency goes from a financial standpoint.

I hope just better hope and pray that the players Houston once comes to Houston.

And here's the thing for those tier two offensive linemen that may not be making the top bucks, right?

That market money. The Texas state taxes might swoot in the deal for them to come to come to Houston.

I think Houston is about to really get active in the draft.

I really do. I think this is where we'll see Houston feel the necessary voice to complete the roster.

A lot of my expectations for free agency in next week are simply sent to the route.

Solid signings. Nothing spectacular.

And honestly, when you saw in a central guard.

It's not much spectacularness to come with it.

But I don't see Houston going to crazy.

I don't. I think they have a list of guys that they believe like when we look at Houston's tiny spot.

I don't see stove hasn't given you anything.

The injuries to brethren during this powder to a place where you need more than that insurance or.

Or you need more of.

Of an understanding that.

Breven Jordan cannot be counted on.

He's just fair to say, don't disrespect to him.

So you look at a tiny like a Charlie Kohler who has experienced being a tight in three.

He may want to be a role.

And he's proven his ability to be able to run blocking.

Being silent in past catcher situations.

So for the Houston Texans.

He'll fit with the system is asking of him from a tiny perspective.

And they can still go out there and say, hey, let's go draft a tiny.

I mean, I'd be drafted high.

I think it should be key and so deep.

That tiny may be a player where between rounds three and four.

You're looking at their upside a little bit.

Who knows and I've said it before.

I think Houston needs to stop being cheap when it comes to tiny in through the draft.

And so always a lay round investment may be changing a little bit.

And maybe you get more of an output from those tiny ends.

But I think overall for Houston, they're the spot where they clearly still feel like they win with their defense.

Training for David Montgomery.

Was step one to helping your offense out in a sense of we want to be able to run the ball to limit mistakes.

Upgrading at center, which I think is next for Houston will allow for the Houston Texas to be able to afford to maybe put in two young draft two young drafted guards in between.

I'm just really wondering what's next for Houston.

I'm tired of waiting.

I know you guys are tired of waiting as well.

Next week is going to kick it all off.

Next week is going to be a period where it's going to get fun.

We're going to have our feelings broken, we're going to be heartbroken for a lot of reasons.

Our teams are going to get the players that we want.

We're going to feel like the team didn't do what we thought they should.

But ultimately, they are in charge.

And for the Texas is it will feel like all you have to do is take care of the offensive line.

You don't got to get overly expensive, right?

I'm justified in this thinking of signing a Tyler Linda bomb would take away from.

Because I said that he needs to go veterans at an offensive line could take away from what that money could do for another position like guard.

Or tidy it.

You don't want to see Houston put all their eggs in one basket and not be able to fill out the offensive roster.

Defense is taking care of already.

You don't really got to worry about that.

So it's exciting to talk about.

It's interesting.

But also look at the Houston Texas and I see themselves in a position where even with the moves that were made.

If they don't hit on upgraded offensive line.

And I mean really upgrading it's going to be for nothing.

It's really going to be for nothing.

So you better hope and break that somebody is good offensive line and want to come to Houston.

Now why not?

Right?

The coach is here.

The city is here.

The running backs are here.

The quarterback is here.

For many of you, you don't believe the quarterback is here.

But the fact remains is.

Office of linemen like to block for decent to good quarterbacks.

And that's what Houston has right now.

It's his extra.

And if you put all of that together.

And from top to bottom.

From front to back.

The office is, you know, structured perfectly.

Then you get a better seat.

They're strong.

Absolutely.

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Welcome back, Lockdown, Texas listeners and viewers.

Really quick.

It feels like this cycle.

This free agent cycle has a lot of releases this year.

I plan to get a release left and right.

The deep tackle from the Minnesota Vikings.

Jonathan Allen got released and I'll tell you this.

I know that the Texas are looking at maybe part of ways with a Tim Settle or a...

or a Sheldon Rankings.

If they don't get those guys to come back, then you're looking at an opportunity to wear Jonathan Allen.

So hey, you know what?

I need to come back.

I need to come to a place where I know I can be successful.

And not to say you come back like come back to the Houston Texas.

He's never playing the Houston.

But come back to a place where they allowed defensive linemen to really get after the quarterback and do their things.

A lot of defensive linemen feel like the numbers and success you want under Brian Florent as you won't get.

But here in Houston, under raw right, Matt Berg, the Michael Ryan's.

They want their D-Lama to feast and play good football and get after the quarterback and stop the run.

And so Jonathan Allen could be looking to get back to a place where it feels familiar.

And also, one of your proven deal.

Allen, you had $1 a year.

You got released.

Come prove it here to Houston, which is what the Texans are, especially on the Nicosario.

Nitorious for coaching changes.

We need to talk about that really quick.

Bill Layser, no longer a part of the offensive side of the coaching staff.

Takwan Underwood was added as an assistant while we received a coach.

I don't have to talk about that.

Jerish Lafiscri.

Sipriski, excuse me.

Officially quarterback coach James Ferrents, Titanian's coach.

Rod Wright got the run game coordinator added to his title.

To the offensive coaching changes.

I like it.

And shout out to my boy, Bear, who pointed this out on.

I think it was a space I was listening to.

Maybe Wednesday, a Thursday.

But he pointed this out.

It was a really good point.

One of the too many offensive changes made last season when Kelly got here.

Kelly wasn't able to kind of bring in some of his own people.

And even with the co-op, pop event, who was already here in Houston, yes.

They have a relationship with working with the new in the Patriots.

Their time, you know, kind of laughs with each other a little bit.

But he was already here in Houston.

So like it wasn't like major changes to where this is my guy.

These are these are the guys that I like.

So this year you're looking at a Takwan Underwood getting added who play with the Patriots.

So understand from a player perspective what the system is asking for.

Receivers, especially young receivers.

So we look at the addition of Takwan, maybe helping out.

And they generally know a Jane he can get to the next level.

And maybe if he looks to invest in another young receiver this year's draft.

But I think that's great from understanding.

For understanding perspective.

Now is a coach play for that system.

Playing at the play for the team.

No one that looks like.

And and and for James for rents, Titan's coach.

We know that Kelly has Titan coach and the ability in his background.

But just being that extension of of Kelly with the office is asking for.

So now what some of the additions.

This could be quote unquote his coaching staff.

The staff he wants.

And one band one sound to where.

You know, hey man.

The voice is clear throughout the room.

They ask is clear from everybody throughout the room.

We now know what we need to do.

And the office of operations should work smoothly moving forward.

But to the point of being tired of waiting.

I'm kind of over talking about who the Texas should.

It shouldn't turn in for you to see.

By this time next week.

Any of our opinions will either be validated or will be pissed off.

At the Houston Texas.

No matter what though.

I think one thing we should all be able to agree on is.

They are operating and do a demo.

The Houston Texas are.

And for Nick Cacerio.

It's important for them to figure it out.

It really is.

Thank you guys for watching today's episode of the lockdown.

Texas podcast.

I promise to be not under the weather the next time I talk to you guys.

But follow me on Twitter at john underscore.

And on Instagram.

Ask some sports guy.

Like comment and subscribe on the YouTube page as well.

Everybody's in just Texas fans across the nation.

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