INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 11: Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. (39) warms up before the NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 11, 2018, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Veteran safety Tashaun Gipson will be remaining in the AFC South after inking a deal with the defending division champion Houston Texans.
In 2017, the Jacksonville Jaguars were within one quarter of reaching the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. One season later, they were back to being a resident of the AFC South basement. That means there would be changes for a club that finished six games behind the division-champion Houston Texans.
The Jaguars recently released running back Carlos Hyde, right tackle Jermey Parnell, defensive tackle Malik Jackson and free safety Tashaun Gipson. All but Parnell have now found new homes as the latter is about to ink a deal with Bill O’Brien’s Texans.
It’s a much-needed pickup for defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. The team released cornerback Kevin Johnson and both Tyrann Mathieu and Kareem Jackson are signing with the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos, respectively.
Contract Details
Via Albert Breer of MMQB, Gipson is getting a three-year contract just over $22 million.
National Reaction
He joins a Houston team that forced 29 turnovers this past season, the second-most in the NFL. It’s worth noting that 14 of his 20 career interceptions came during his four years with the Cleveland Browns. So has Gipson lost his ball-hawking touch? That remains to be seen. His familiarity with the AFC South is a big plus. But he could be a player on the downside of his career.
The Texans’ defense allowed the fifth-most passing yards in the league this past season. So can Gipson be the first of many moves that will make for a better secondary? Stay tuned.