Houston Texans: Cut Struggling Starter After Rough 2024 Season

The Houston Texans entered today with approximately $4.5 million in cap space and a few team needs. Houston’s biggest offensive need is the offensive line, their interior in particular, after a rough year. The Texans’ offensive line struggled to protect C.J. Stroud, giving up the second-most pressures (180), the highest pressure percentage (27.2%), the most hurries (68), and tying for the third-most sacks (54).

Highlighting one of their biggest disappointments on the offensive line is their veteran guard.

The Houston Texans 31 Y.O. guard had a rough year

Shaq Mason had a rough year, arguably having his worst year as a pro and missing some time with injury. Mason surrendered 34 pressures, 21 hurries, five QB hits, and eight sacks, posting a 65.2 pass-blocking, a 57.7 run-blocking, and a 62.3 overall PFF grade in 15 starts. He missed two regular season and one postseason game due to a Grade 2 MCL sprain.

Also Read: “Back in the Starting Lineup”: Houston Texans Veteran Lineman Will Return to Starting Lineup After Missing Last 3 Games

Mason enters the second year of his 3-year, 36 million contract extension. He is set to earn a $10 million base salary along with a $14.599 million cap hit in 2025. Since he has not lived up to the big contract, he was on the chopping block.

Also Read: Predicting Each AFC South Team’s Most Likely Cap Casualty for 2025

Houston Texans cut struggling starter after rough 2024 season

According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, the Texans will release Shaq Mason on March 12, the start of the new league year as a post-June 1st cut designation. On June 2nd, the team will free up $9.44 million in cap space and incur a dead cap hit of $5.158 million in 2025 and $7.324 million in 2026.

#Texans designating Shaq Mason as post-June 1 release, creating $9.4 million in savings for 2025, later, with no immediate cap relief, per a league source @KPRC2 https://t.co/DAxtIF38l4

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 7, 2025

Here’s how they can free up more cap space

• Extend Danielle Hunter: $14,196,000
• Restructure Laremy Tunsil: $9,922,500
• Cut Denico Autry: $5,794,118
• Restructure Dalton Schultz: $4,872,500
• Trade John Metchie III: $1,805,478

Total Savings: $36,590,596

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