LB Blake Cashman signs with Vikings, teams up with Jonathan Greenard

Texans lose linebacker Blake Cashman to Vikings in $25.5 million deal. Houston struggles in free agency, potential replacements include Patrick Queen.

The Houston Texans are in need of a new middle linebacker after Blake Cashman signed a three-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings. Cashman, who had a breakout season with the Texans, recorded 106 tackles, two sacks, one interception, and a forced fumble.

Playing under head coach DeMeco Ryans, Cashman became known as one of the league's top coverage linebackers, allowing the eighth fewest receiving yards among linebackers according to Pro Football Focus. He also allowed the second-fewest yards per target as the nearest defender last season, according to NFL's Next Gen Stats.

Cashman, who spent three years with the New York Jets before being traded to Houston in 2022, expressed interest in returning to the Texans but ultimately chose to sign with the Vikings due to his ties to Minnesota, where he grew up and attended college.

The Texans have had a rocky start to free agency, missing out on key players and letting go of some of their top defenders from last season. They have several linebacker options still available, including Patrick Queen and Azeez Al-Shaair, who both have connections to Houston and could be potential targets for the team.