Crennel open to returning
Romeo Crennel displayed an introspective mood at the close of a frustrating season for the Texans.
Named the interim coach after Bill O’Brien was fired, Crennel’s contract is expiring in February after a 4-12 season that included a 4-8 mark under his leadership.
Crennel, 73, plans to reflect on his future plans, which could include continuing to coach, likely a potential assistant head coach or defensive coordinator role, or retirement.
“I started this a couple years ago by going year-toyear with my contract and at the end of the year take time to sit down, review and think about what I wanted my future to be,” Crennel said. “Immediately after the game, immediately after the season, I don’t think is the time to make that decision. Maybe a week later after you’ve had time to reflect and think and talk with family and decide what you want to do, then you can make that decision.”
A former Chiefs and Browns head coach who ran defenses for the Patriots and Texans, Crennel is open to staying with the Texans.
“I think that would have to happen is that I would have to sit down and be able to talk with that individual to find out his philosophy, if it matches my philosophy and everything that goes into this business,” Crennel said. “Then, if we were amenable, I wouldn’t mind staying because I’ve enjoyed Houston itself.”
Focus on present key for Johnson
Enduring a rough season and the massive unpopularity of being the player acquired by the Texans in the controversial trade of AllPro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, veteran running back David Johnson tried to maintain his perspective while dealing with difficult circumstances.
Playing under a threeyear, $39 million contract, Johnson picked up his game at the end of the season after missing one game on the COVID-19 reserve list as a close contact and three more games on injured reserve with a concussion.
“I definitely think my production picked up, got a lot better,” Johnson said. “I think the biggest thing was I talked to a mental health coach, and he really just helped me focus on the play at hand. Don’t think too much in the past, one play at a time, what’s important now, and really just focusing on what’s in front of me because there’s a lot of distractions with this offseason, with the virus, with everything going on with this organization.
“I think that was the biggest thing that I needed to do was just sit down, especially after the concussion, after a tough and a weird injury, and I think just talking to him really helped me out.”
Johnson is a potential offseason salary-cap casualty due to a $7.95 million base salary in 2021. The Texans can save $6.9 million against the salary cap by cutting Johnson. He rushed for 691 yards and six touchdowns for the season and 33 receptions for 314 yards and two touchdowns.
He finished with at least 1,000 yards for scrimmage for the fourth time in his career.
“Yeah, definitely want to stay here,” Johnson said. “Especially when we’ve got a guy like Deshaun ( Watson) at quarterback, we always have chance. So, I’d definitely love to be here next year.”
Martin expects fast bounce back
Accustomed to being in the playoffs, Texans veteran center Nick Martin plans to use being out of the postseason as motivation.
After winning consecutive AFC South division titles the previous two seasons, the Texans nosedived during a 4-12 season.
“There’s no doubt it’s motivation,” Martin said. “We’ve made the playoffs, and we know we have the taste of playoffs, and that’s the goal is to get back there and continue to win games. Not making it, it hurts. It’s been an incredibly tough year. A year of, when you reflect, you learn a lot about yourself, about your teammates.
“One thing I’m so proud of this team is the way we fought. We easily could have packed it in weeks ago. We didn’t. We fought every game.”
As poorly as the Texans’ season unfolded, including eight losses by one score, Martin doesn’t believe the team will find itself in a similar position a year from now.
The former secondround draft pick from Notre Dame predicted the Texans will start winning again behind quarterback DeshaunWatson.
“The hardest piece of the puzzle is the quarterback, and we have that in Deshaun,” Martin said. “That’s no secret, so I think it’s going to be a quick turnaround.”
6 sign; Weeks’ contract expires
The Texans signed six players to reserve-future deals Monday: centerguards Cohl Cabral and Beau Benzschawel, linebacker Curtis Bolton, long snapper Anthony Kukwa, cornerback BrandonWilliams (Texas A&M) and wide receiver J’Mon Moore (Elkins).
All were with the Texans’ practice squad. Kukwa was signed to the Texans’ practice squad after being cut at the end of training camp. Texans veteran long snapper JonWeeks’ one-year contract has expired.