The Texans secured a top offensive lineman from Minnesota with a $9.2 million rookie contract. Now, all eyes are on him to step up quickly and fill a critical hole up front.
The Houston Texans locked up one of their top rookies earlier this week, signing second-round wide receiver Jayden Higgins to a fully guaranteed deal. But he wasn’t the only day two pick to cash in.
On Saturday, KPRC 2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson reported that Houston also reached a deal with offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery — the No. 48 overall pick out of Minnesota.
Ersery started multiple seasons at left tackle for the Gophers and emerged as a cornerstone on P.J. Fleck’s offensive line. Now, he becomes the latest Big Ten lineman to make the leap to the NFL — and he’ll have a shot to compete for playing time right away.
According to Wilson, Ersery’s rookie deal is worth $9.2 million over four years. The full structure of the contract hasn’t been released yet, but with both of Houston’s second-rounders now under contract, the Texans are in a good spot as training camp approaches.
The timing couldn’t be better. Houston traded Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders earlier this offseason, creating a massive void up front. Getting Ersery signed without any contract drama was a top priority for GM Nick Caserio — and the team made sure to check that box early.
Both rookie signings reinforce the Texans’ commitment to building around young talent. With third-year quarterback C.J. Stroud aiming to rebound from an uneven 2024 season, the front office is focused on surrounding him with better protection and weapons to help him take the next step.
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Locking in Higgins and Ersery before camp keeps the offseason momentum going. These moves are part of a bigger vision — building a young, sustainable core that can compete for years to come.
Now comes the hard part: turning that potential into production. And inside the building, the Texans believe this rookie class is ready to deliver.
Category: General Sports
