Another free agent bites the dust. Former Eagles’ Steven Nelson signs with the Houston Texans, leaving Philadelphia’s cornerback position requiring some much needed help.
New: The Texans are signing cornerback Steven Nelson to a two-year, $10 million deal. Lovie Smith said they can't play the type of football they want until they get better at cornerback. They've landed an established, tenured player in Nelson.https://t.co/BUl3CPrU3f
— Brooks Kubena (@BKubena) April 13, 2022
Nelson started his professional career with Kansas City. The Chiefs selected him in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft, remaining with the team for four seasons. In 2019, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Nelson to a three-year deal. However, the cornerback requested a termination of his contract in 2021, giving him the opportunity to sign with the Eagles.
The 29-year-old played in all 16 games recording 50 combines tackles (34 solo tackles) and one interception.
On Wednesday, Nelson signed with the Texas on a two-year deal worth $10 million. He visited with the team earlier in the week.
Texans head coach Love Smith stated, “Our play at the cornerback position last year was not good enough, it’s as simple as that. If we brought somebody back, we have faith in them. We think that they can fit into the mix some kind of way, but that’s a position we’ll continue to look to improve. We can’t play the type of football that we want to play until we get better at the cornerback position, I will say that.”
Nelson will now join current Texans’ cornerbacks Desmond King and Lonnie Johnson. Though his transition gives Houston the veteran cornerback they need, it leaves Philadelphia very thin. The Eagles are now left with Darius Slay, Zech McPhearson and Avonte Maddox.
The move may now increase the chances that Philadelphia takes advantage of their draft picks. With the No. 15 and No. 18 overall picks, the Eagles were reported to be scouting Trent McDuffie, a top-2o cornerback prospect.
