The Houston Texans took the first step in retooling their offensive line on Wednesday by releasing long-time veteran center Chris Myers. Despite being 33-years old, the two-time Pro Bowler is still considered one of the top run-blocking centers in the NFL.
The Texans seemingly decided to part ways with Myers due to his age and salary. He signed a four-year, $25 million contract back in 2012. This year, Myers was scheduled to make $6 million with $8 million counting against the Houston’s salary cap. His release will create a $2 million dead money hit to the cap.
Myers was originally a sixth round pick out of the University of Miami (Fl.) back in 2005. He spent his first three seasons with the Denver Broncos.
The ten-year veteran was then traded to Houston in 2008 for a sixth round pick. During a majority of his time with the Texans, many considered Myers one of the best centers in the NFL. He made the Pro Bowl in 2011 and in 2012.
With Myers now released, fourth-year offensive lineman Ben Jones is penciled in on the depth chart as his likely replacement. Despite starting at left guard last year, Jones was originally drafted as a top-tier center out of Georgia in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
If Jones does indeed make the move from guard to center, it opens the door for the Texans’ second round pick from 2014, Xavier Su’a-Filo, to finally move into Houston’s starting offensive line. If the Texans do not intend to move Jones, then Houston has a gigantic void in the middle of their line to address either through free agency and/or the draft.
Regardless, it appears the Texans will be looking to at least add some offensive line depth to their roster this offseason, making that area of their team a much bigger priority than it was yesterday.