‘I love this city,’ Texans make Jalen Pitre highest paid nickel in NFL with $42.6 million contract

HOUSTON – Earlier this week, Texans nickel Jalen Pitre was asked a question about the joy of playing for his hometown team by elementary school students.

“Yeah, I definitely want to keep it going,” Pitre told KPRC 2 during a school assembly. “You know this is home for me. This is where all my family is, this is is where I first started playing football.

“So, it’s definitely a lot of memories here. And I definitely want to continue to play for the Houston Texans. This is my city and I love this city."

Now, that goal has become a reality as Pitre has signed a $42.6 million extension that includes a $10 million signing bonus and has become the new highest paid nickel with a $13 million annual average, per league sources.

He is now under contract through the 2028 season. Pitre’s new deal has a base value of $39 million, with $29.156 million in total guarantees and $18 million in new money over the next 12 months.

Pitre is represented by veteran agents Trey Robinson and Marlon Moore of Athelite.

When the Texans drafted Pitre in the second round out of Baylor, the former Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year was signed to a four-year, $8.954 million contract that included $6.323 million total guaranteed with a $3.692 million signing bonus.

After completing three NFL seasons, Pitre was playing under his original rookie deal. Pitre, one of the most active players in the community through his work with Kids Meals Inc., and the Stafford Cobras youth football and cheerleading program, became eligible to sign a contract extension, and now the deal is done.

Rather than stress about the contract situation, Pitre focused on his offseason training and recovering fully from a torn pectoral suffered last season that required surgery.

“I know it’s going to take care of itself,“ Pitre said. ”I’m not really worried.”

Pitre tore his pectoral last season while tackling Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Boyd and caught the brunt of a collision with teammate Henry To’oTo’o. His absence created a void in the Texans’ defense.

Without Pitre’s hard-hitting style, it became easier for offenses to run the football. And his physical, rangy, instinctive impact in the passing game was felt as well.

Now, the Stafford graduate is on the road to recovery.

Pitre had a successful surgery and is on track to participate in some offseason activities as he continues to strengthen his chest and regain his flexibility and range of motion to prevent any future injuries. It doesn’t sound like Pitre will be practicing in the spring, at this point, but should be ready for training camp.

“Yeah, I’m not really sure if I’m gonna be able to do stuff in the spring, but I’m feeling good," Pitre said. “My team has been doing nothing but helping me progress along the way and it’s been nothing but positive steps. So, looking forward to the season for sure.”

Back at his natural nickel position, Pitre started every game before he got hurt. He recorded 65 tackles, six tackles for losses, one forced fumble, one interception and eight passes defensed in a dozen starts.

The Texans adapted to the loss of Pitre by shifting safety Jimmie Ward to nickel as his replacement. Then, Ward injured his foot and was placed on injured reserve. He underwent surgery, a successful procedure, and is on track for the offseason.

Without Pitre and Ward, the Texans eventually turned to Myles Bryant as the primary nickel. He had some solid games, but also allowed an 86-yard touchdown in a playoff win over the Los Angeles Chargers to Ladd McConkey and had trouble keeping up with the Chiefs in the divisional round.

The Texans clearly missed Pitre’s presence.

“Jalen, he’s been a true impact player for us,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said when Pitre got injured. “Just being around the ball, just causing interceptions, forcing fumbles. He’s just been really active, very instinctive player for us.

“He’s been all over the field. And he’s made a lot of plays for us. And just miss his instincts, miss his playmaking ability, we’re going to miss that. So, we’ve got to pick it up and we’ve got to go. We’ve got to move forward. We’ve got to press forward.”

When Pitre is fully back, he’ll be a vital part of a loaded secondary headlined by All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr., who signed a $90 million contract extension this offseason, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, safety Calen Bullock and new safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson after a trade from the Philadelphia Eagles along with veteran corner Ronald Darby.

“Oh man, we just adding more dogs to the room,” Pitre said. “So, I’m excited and I know it’s gonna be fun to just get in and get to know these guys and just get to work with them.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com