How Jalen Pitre’s new contract with the Houston Texans allows him to keep helping his hometown

HOUSTON – Standing in the hallway by the Texans’ weight room, Jalen Pitre soaked up the moment.

Pitre recently took another major step in his unique path with his hometown football team by signing a three-year, $42.6 million contract extension that included a $10 million signing bonus and $29.156 million total guaranteed with an $18 million payout over the next year.

Beyond what the money signifies about recognizing his play as a hard-hitting, instinctive nickel who thrived at his natural position last season, Pitre is taking a longer view about what the financial commitment and trust means.

By keeping Pitre on the books through the 2028 season, the Texans have given the Stafford graduate and former Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year from Baylor the opportunity to continue his work on and off the field.

One of the most active players in the community, Pitre is devoted to his work in partnership with Kids Meals Inc., a nonprofit organization that benefits food-insecure children in Harris County.

It’s a rare situation for an NFL player to play his entire football career in his home state and city. From high school to college to the NFL, Pitre is grounded in Texas.

“I was extremely thankful, thankful that it was in God’s will for me to be able to play here for three more years and get to go back and keep playing with my teammates,” Pitre told KPRC 2. “I think that was the biggest thing and just to continue to build something in Houston. It means the world to me that you know, God has placed me here for three more years and that it was a part of his will for me to be here.

“I’m thankful and I’m excited to do more and get back to work. There’s a lot more to be done in this city and I look to continue to help and continue to inspire the kids coming behind me."

When the Texans finalized the deal for Pitre, they felt extremely comfortable making that kind of hefty investment.

Now, Pitre is under contract with his hometown team through the 2028 season with base salaries of $1.656 million (fully guaranteed for skill, injury and salary cap), $9 million (fully guaranteed), $9.5 million with $8.5 million guaranteed and $9.5 million. He has up to $500,000 in per-game active roster bonuses the next two seasons and up to $1 million in per-game active roster bonuses, a rate of $58,823 per game in 2027 and 2028.

Very few players get to do what Pitre is doing by staying home to play in the NFL.

“Yeah, it’s crazy,” Pitre said. “I continue to tell people this never was in my mind that I would be able to do this, but God had always had more for me. He definitely always overflowed my cup. So, definitely thankful to be here and continue to get to work and you know make plays on and off the field. That’s what I look forward to.

“Definitely shout out to God, shout out to my parents for having me. I’m ready to get back to work and definitely ready to continue to aspire to you to hopefully do the same."

When Pitre signed his contract, he didn’t do a lot of celebrating. There was a low-key dinner with his family, his girlfriend and his agents at Steak 48.

Pitre is hard at work rehabilitating his torn pectoral suffered last season that required surgery. He recently said he didn’t know if he would be able to do a lot on the field during organized team activities and minicamps, but does expect to be ready for training camp.

“I didn’t really celebrate it, I didn’t really celebrate yet,” Pitre said. “I’m definitely grateful and excited that I got an extension, but it’s a lot of work that needs to be done, me coming off the injury and all of that. So I’m very thankful, but not content for where I’m at right now."

Pitre’s $13 million annual average, negotiated by veteran agents Trey Robinson and Marlon Moore of Athelite, briefly made him the highest paid nickel in the NFL before Chicago Bears slot corner Kyler Gordon eclipsed his deal with a $13. 3 million average compensation two days later.

The Texans love what Pitre does for the defense and were happy to reward him with a new deal.

“Jalen represents everything you wanted in a player, and in a person,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He is consistent, hard working, very dedicated to putting the team first and doing whatever it takes for the team to be successful. He’s been an outstanding young man to work with. So, I am fired up for Jalen.

“Jalen was truly a impact player for us. When he was on the field he was all over the place, causing havoc, and we expect to see the same for a long time. So, I’m excited for Jalen, happy for him. It is a cool example of a guy who puts his head down, works hard, and does things the right way and he is rewarded for it. That is the beauty in this game and the NFL, what is provides for you and your family. Jalen is a representative of everything you can ask for.”

Pitre’s parents take a lot of pride in their son’s accomplishments. Rick is a truck driver and Devita is a bank teller.

“They taught me everything,” Pitre said. “When you see Jalen, you see Mr. Rick and Ms. Devita. I’m definitely them walking around here every day. They taught me everything that I know and I’m forever thankful for them sacrificing for me.”

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 became eligible to sign a contract extension, and now the deal is done.

Days before the contract was finalized, Pitre expressed his wishes to be a Texans on a long-term basis.

“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."

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.

“I’m feeling really good. I’m excited about what the future holds and definitely still listening to the trainers and everything that they want me to do, but my body is definitely feeling good and heading in the right direction.”

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.

“I think those 12 games and all the time that I spent, I’m really thankful for it because it definitely taught me a lot about the position and how the coaches want me to do it,” Pitre said. “I think it’s just a building process now like learning the things that I did well and the thing that I didn’t do as well and just trying to build off of that.

“Just trying to find ways to get better and continue to evolve as a player in this defense. I think that’s the most important thing to not only help myself, in terms of production but ultimately help the team get the wins that we need to get and get where we want to go. I’m thankful that I’m playing nickel and it’s been fun.

Now, Pitre and All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. are under contract for years to come. Stingley signed a three-year, $90 million contract extension.

“It’s amazing, put a smile on my face,” Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “It’s not the goal. Of course, the goal is to be All-Pro, to be one of the most respected, but that’s what comes with that. So, those two guys have done those things as some of the two most respected players in the NFL and to have them on my team and to see them get what I felt was due was just amazing.

“Me and (Pitre) were actually just talking about that. I was in the building a couple months ago and we were talking about it and he really wasn’t sure. But I was like, ‘Bro, you put it on tape, man. Now you just leave it to the people you entrusted to do your contract.’ And to see it go out and see him be the highest paid nickel ever is just super dope and same thing for Sting. We all knew that, though. That dude’s a baller. So, yeah, it’s dope to see.”

When Pitre is fully back, he’ll be a vital part of a loaded secondary headlined by Stingley Jr. 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.

“A competitive one,” Pitre said. “A group that’s going to continue to lift up each other, inspire each other and demand the best out of each other. From top to bottom, left to right, we have playmakers and our coaches definitely know how to put us in the right position to make plays.

“So, I’m very excited about what the future holds for us as a group. Overall as a team, I think we definitely have the pieces and it’s about putting in the work when the time comes.”

In the months leading up to Pitre signing his contract, he was given important advice from Stroud to remain patient while the negotiation process unfolded.

“It was different and it’s definitely something I’ve never been a part of during the negotiation process and stuff,” Pitre said. “I definitely trusted my team and the Texans and their staff to get things done.

“Through that process, C.J. basically reassured me that everything was going to work out in God’s plan and everything was going to be okay. We look up and the deal is done and it’s time to get back to work. I’m thankful and I’m ready to go.”

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