Since establishing as a franchise in 1999, the Houston Texans have had their fair share of signing notable free agents.
However, some of those free-agent signings have underperformed heftily, causing the Texans to either cut or trade them and lose money. Nevertheless, paying big money for a free agent in the NFL is often a gamble.
Let's take a look at the top five worst free-agent signings in Texans franchise history.
5. Jeff Allen
Jeff Allen showed plenty of promise when he played with the Kansas City Chiefs, which is a big reason why Houston signed him to a four-year, $28 million contract in 2016. Unfortunately, he played horrible with the Texans, as he had trouble running and blocking.
Furthermore, he suffered several injuries in his two-year tenure with the team. Due to his poor performances and injuries, the Texans decided to part ways with Allen two years into a four-year contract agreement.
Nevertheless, Allen is arguably one of the worst free-agent signings in the team's history.
4. Rahim Moore
Moore signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Texans as a free agent before the 2015 season. However, he didn't perform well in his first season with the team. In his first season in Houston, he tallied 16 tackles and only one interception.
The Texans cut him after just seven games in his first season with the team. Fortunately, they were able to get salary-cap relief by releasing Moore.
3. Ahman Green
Even after Ahman Green came off an injury derailed season with the Green Bay Packers the previous season, the Texans still thought it was a good idea to sign him to a four-year, $23 million contract.
The former four-time Pro Bowler only lasted two years in Houston, playing just 14 games. In those 14 games, he recorded 554 rushing yards on 144 carries, averaging just 3.8 yards per attempt.
After the Texans cut him, he returned to Green Bay for one more season and then retired.
2. Ed Reed
After 11 dominate seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Ed Reed signed a three-year deal worth $15 million with the Texans. Unfortunately, he wasn't the same player as he was when he was with the Ravens.
In seven games as a Texan, Reed started five games and recorded 14 tackles. Houston cut Reed before the season was even finished. As for the Texans, they had one of the worst seasons in franchise history, going 2-14.
Despite the poor play towards the end of his career, Reed is still recognized as one of the greatest safeties to play the game.
1. Brock Osweiler
Brock Osweiler was expected to be the starter for the Denver Broncos after Peyton Manning retired in 2015, but he ended up leaving for the Texans instead, signing a four-year, $72 million contract that included $37 million in guaranteed money.
Little did Bill O'Brien – or anyone that worked in the front office for the franchise – know that signing Osweiler would be one of the worst decisions the organization as made given the production that they would get in return.
In his 15 games as a Texan, Osweiler threw 15 touchdowns and 16 picks. Additionally, he averaged just 5.8 yards per completion and was sacked a whopping 27 times. Due to his horrible season, the Texans traded him (and his massive cap hit) to the Cleveland Browns.
Fortunately, the Texans were able to select their franchise quarterback in Deshaun Watson in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
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