Houston Texans’ training staff was a strong selling point for Matt Kalil

Houston Texans offensive tackle Matt Kalil explained the impact the team’s training staff contributed in his decision with picking Houston over other offers.

Houston Texans free agent acquisition offensive tackle Matt Kalil had multiple offers on the table, but he chose Houston over other destinations due to an unusual reason, the team’s training staff. Kalil became a free agent after the Carolina Panthers waived him to open up cap room during free agency. Injuries have taken a toll in Kalil’s career after earning Pro Bowl recognition in his rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings.

His health was a red flag, and it ultimately ended his stint with the Panthers, but he is optimistic about turning his fortune around with the Texans. The coaching and training staff played a massive role in ultimately deciding to sign with Houston.

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“If I were to go Buffalo or Jacksonville or different places that’s one thing, I feel like here with everything they have with their weight lifting and their sports science side of it, the training staff, kind of all that, [it] accumulated together and it’s going to keep me healthy and get the results that I want on the field,” Kalil said.

“Just the way that they run their program, meeting some of the guys in the locker room, meeting a lot of the coaches, their expectations for me, them really wanting me to be here, and just kind of the program they’re running. Obviously, they’ve had a lot of great players who have had setbacks and feel like they have developed a system to keep people healthy, and a lot of communication and a lot goes into keeping these guys healthy and coming up with the right schedules for each individual guy. Just kind of hearing that and everything they do really excited me.”

Kalil was also excited about having the opportunity to play with one of the promising young quarterbacks in the NFL with Deshaun Watson. “Watching him and his presence in the pocket, the talent that kid brings to the offense, he is a tremendous player, and to think what he has accomplished with his limited time in the NFL. The sky is the limit for that guy.”

He also praised Watson’s athleticism and how it elevates the entire play of the team and the offensive line. “To be blocking for a guy like that, a lot of times quarterbacks like him you get beat, but helps you and saves you and he makes you look a whole lot better. So I get really excited watching him, and I can’t wait to get on the field.”

Texans are hoping to improve their offensive line and keep their players healthy so they can keep Watson upright in the pocket, and avoid him taking unnecessary hits as a quarterback.