Why S Eric Murray could be the Houston Texans’ salary cap casualty
The Houston Texans have the fourth-most salary cap space in the NFL heading into the 2023 offseason. With over $37.1 million in space available, the Texans have plenty of capital to sign free agents or keep veterans they like.
However, general manager Nick Caserio doesn’t want to waste the McNair’s money on players who aren’t maximizing their contracts. Decisions will have to be made ahead of free agency.
According to Michael Renner from Pro Football Focus, one salary cap casualty on the Texans’ roster could be safety Eric Murray.
Murray’s status as a key special teams contributor may keep him around, especially with general manager Nick Caserio coming from a New England Patriots organization that put more emphasis on retaining quality special teamers than perhaps anywhere else.
That said, Murray logged just 118 snaps on defense amid the emergence of young contributors like second-round pick Jalen Pitre, so a pay cut may be required to stay in Houston.
Murray would cost the Texans $1,357,500 in dead money against the salary cap, but would save the Texans $4 million in salary cap space.
The former Kansas City Chiefs 2016 fourth-round pick generated 27 combined tackles through 17 games for Houston.
