Texans Acquired Ex Ravens $11.7 Million LB For 2024 Season…
The Baltimore Ravens are losing one of their top special teams players. Linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips and the Houston Texans agreed to a one-year deal per reports.
Phillips was an undrafted rookie who played collegiately at Illinois and has made a name for himself as a standout special teams player during stints with the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Ravens.
In 2023, the 27-year-old played almost 80 percent of Baltimore’s special teams plays – the most of any player – while also appearing in seven percent of the team’s defensive plays. Phillips played for two seasons in Baltimore and registered 29 total tackles and one forced fumble in 33 appearances.
The former Fighting Illini had his best season in 2021 when he tallied a career-best 31 tackles and a sack while playing a career-high 160 plays.
Phillips joins a Texans team that is improving itself during the “legal tampering period” ahead of free agency which starts on Wednesday at the beginning of the NFL’s new league year.
Phillips marks the sixth Raven to leave in free agency since Monday, joining running back Gus Edwards, safety Geno Stone, wideout Devin Duvernay, guard John Simpson and cornerback Ronald Darby.
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Bengals make surprising decision on RB Joe Mixon’s future
The Bengals have had an entertaining start to free agency, adding interesting pieces on both sides of the field and bolstering their ranks after a disappointing 2023 NFL season.
Besides the intriguing Moss, Mike Gesicki and Geno Stone have agreed to deals with the Bengals. They also re-signed a host of players on expiring deals, having a strong start to free agency.
Mixon is headed to Houston to join an interesting Texans team full of young and veteran talent. C.J. Stroud made some noise last season with his impressive play. They already have a notable wide receiver duo with Tank Dell and Nico Collins, and adding Joe Mixon will elevate their game.
In seven seasons with the Bengals, Mixon played 97 games, rushing for 6,412 yards in 1,571 attempts and scoring 49 touchdowns.
With Devin Singletary headed to New York to join the Giants, Mixon could take on the biggest workload for the Texans. They’ll try to build on the impressive 2023 season and make another statement in Stroud’s sophomore campaign.
The Texans are one of the most intriguing teams in the AFC and Mixon’s addition will be major for them.