Texans Re-Sign Derek Barnett to One-Year Deal

The Houston Texans have found their third pass rusher for the 2024 season, re-signing Derek Barnett to a one-year deal.

Derek Barnett is back for Round 2. 

The Houston Texans and veteran defensive have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, a source confirmed with TexansDaily.com. Barnett was one of the breakout players down the stretch for Houston on its run to the postseason. 

Drafted 14th overall in 2017, Barnett was picked up off waivers following a six-plus year run with the Philadelphia Eagles. He eventually stepped into the No. 3 role over Jerry Hughes behind Texans’ sack leader Jonathan Greenard and rookie Will Anderson Jr. 

In six games, Barnett, 27, totaled 19 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits. He also started four games in place of Greenard and Anderson, who each suffered injuries that required them to miss two games. 

Perhaps Barnett’s biggest accomplishment came in the AFC Wild Card Round win over the Cleveland Browns. He recorded a sack, along with four tackles to help Houston pick up its first postseason victory since 2019. 

In two playoff games, Barnett notched seven tackles, two quarterback hits, and two tackles for losses along with the sack. 

There was always a dialogue for a reunion in the works, but the Texans turned their attention elsewhere at the start of free agency. Now, with the final stages of the offseason reaching its peak, Barnett is back as the No. 3 pass-rusher behind the Defensive Rookie of the Year and newcomer Danielle Hunter. 

Hunter, a Katy native and four-time Pro Bowler with the Minnesota Vikings, signed a two-year deal worth up to $51 million earlier this month. He’ll replace Greenard, who actually replaced Hunter with the Vikings on a four-year deal. 

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Since being drafted out of Tennessee, Barnett has totaled 169 career tackles, 24 sacks, 45 tackles for loss and 87 quarterback hits.