New Colt Simon third starter to leave Texans
Linebacker signs three-year deal with South rival
Outside linebacker John Simon is no longer a part of the Texans’ top-ranked defense, becoming the third starter to leave the AFC South champions in the past two days.
One day after Texans lost cornerback A.J. Bouye to the Jacksonville Jaguars on a five-year, $67.5 million contract and safety Quintin Demps signed with the Chicago Bears for three years and $13.5 million, Simon joined the Indianapolis Colts on Friday via a threeyear maximum value $17 million contract.
Simon gets a $4 million roster bonus on Sunday. His 2017 base salary of $1.5 million is fully guaranteed. He has a $1.5 million Pro Bowl, sacks, playtime escalator in 2018 and 2019. And Simon is due base salaries of $3 million and $3.5 million in the second and third years of the deal. He has an annual total of $500,000 in per game active roster bonuses.
While the Texans maintained a dialogue with Simon as free agency began, and his preference was to remain in Houston, the Colts were much more aggressive financially.
‘Great addition’ for Indy
Simon has 120 career tackles, nine for losses, 10 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
“John possesses a strong balance between his pass rushing ability and run defense,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard said. “He’s a physical linebacker who has matured on one of the top defensive units in the league over the past three seasons. John provides a significant upgrade to our defense, and we’re excited to welcome him to Indianapolis.”
Simon injured his pectoral muscle in a November loss to the Oakland Raiders in Mexico City and played just one game the rest of the season. He recorded a career-high 51 tackles, four for losses, two passes defended, one forced fumble and 3½ sacks. Two seasons ago, Simon had a careerhigh five sacks.
A former Baltimore Ravens fourth-round draft pick, Simon will now play for former Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano.
“John is a smart, physical player who will make an impact immediately on our team,” said Pagano, the Colts’ head coach. “We witnessed his success in Houston, and now I look forward to seeing him wear the horseshoe. He will be a great addition.”
No Remmers visit Former Carolina Panthers starting offensive tackle Mike Remmers won’t be going to his scheduled Saturday visit with the Texans. Remmers agreed to a five-year, $30 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings on Friday during his visit, according to his agent, Brett Tessler. Tessler told the Chronicle on Friday morning that his client would visit the Texans if he didn’t sign with the Vikings.
Former Jacksonville Jaguars starting tackle Kelvin Beachum signed with the New York Jets, and former Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Menelik Watson signed with the Denver Broncos on Friday. Remmers is a right tackle, which the Texans need with Derek Newton’s torn patellar tendons suffered last season putting his status in doubt for next season. Chris Clark filled in for him last season and remains under contract. In other developments: • Don Jones, a top specialteams contributor for the Texans, singed a two-year contract with the 49ers.
•The holding pattern involving Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo remained in effect Friday, as Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wants to trade him now rather than cut Romo. The Texans and Denver Broncos are interested in Romo should be become a free agent.
•Free agent tight end Ryan Griffin is drawing interest from other NFL teams, including the Detroit Lions. If Griffin leaves, the top tight end available is former Green Bay Packer Jared Cook, who would be a good fit working in tandem with C.J. Fiedorowicz. Cook and the Packers broke off contract talks and he is poised to visit other teams. The Packers moved on quickly, signing former New England Patriots and Texas A&M tight end Martellus Bennett, a former Alief Taylor standout.
• The Texans could use reinforcements at safety, and two hit the market Friday. The Ravens cut veteran safety Lardarius Webb, and the Buffalo Bills parted ways with safety Corey Graham. Both could provide help to a secondary that’s lost two starters and returns safeties Andre Hal and Corey Moore.