Getty
Wyatt Teller #77 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after the game against a Indianapolis Colts.
Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio has been active in free agency, despite not all of his attempts panning out as hoped. Such was the case for Caserio and the Texans regarding Elgton Jenkins, which could finally lead them to Wyatt Teller.
The two new Cleveland Browns teammates may not be that for much longer. Houston could be primed and ready to pounce if the highly anticipated split comes to fruition.
That could reframe their offseason.
Texans Get Renewed Link to Browns’ Wyatt Teller Before Deadline
GettyWyatt Teller #77 of the Cleveland Browns runs onto the field before a game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander reported on March 11 that Caserio “reached out” to Jenkins with a “competitive” offer to fill the Texans’ left guard void in free agency on Tuesday. The Browns outbid them and the other prospective suitors.
Jenkins received a two-year, $24 million pact from Cleveland.
However, missing out on Jenkins could lead Caserio and the Texans to Teller, to whom they have been linked for months after exploring trade options in the past.
Alexander called Teller a “realistic option” for the Texans, specifically in comparison to his other Browns teammate, Joel Bitonio. Bitonio is also a guard, and the Browns re-signed Teven Jenkins, who filled in during Teller’s absence this past season.
KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson corroborated the Texans’ interest in Elgton Jenkins and Teller.
“#Texans have shown interest in former #Browns left guard Wyatt Teller, per sources,” Wilson reported on X on March 11. “But nothing pending or imminent there.”
Texans Could Benefit From ‘Poison Pill’
Getty ImagesWyatt Teller #77 of the Cleveland Browns reacts against the Miami Dolphins.
The Texans might need to wait out the Browns for Teller. He is on a four-year, $56.8 million contract that has left the clock ticking.
There is a “poison pill” provision in the pact that will see his $99 million base salary for 2028 become guaranteed if he is still on the roster on the third day of the new league year. That is Friday, March 13.
However, the Browns built a mechanism into the deal for just this situation.
“Teller is listed with void years in 2026 through 2029. This was done to ensure Teller would be listed as a free agent for 2026. The contract, technically, does not have a scheduled contract void until mid-February in 2029,” Cap and Trades Troy Chapman wrote in February. “The two sides completed a contract renegotiation on August 27, 2025, to structure the contract for a 2026 release with a Post-June 1 designation.
“Obviously, the Browns did not intend to allow Teller’s 2028 $99 million salary to become fully guaranteed. The team will need to release Teller by March 13th to avoid the vesting.”
Teller, who turns 32 in November, has $61.4 million in career earnings.
He also comes with some injury concerns, having missed four games in each of the past two seasons with Cleveland, who drafted him 166th overall in 2018.
Signing Teller, if he becomes available, would reunite him with draft classmate Braden Smith, whom the Texans signed on Day 2 of free agency. It would also plug the final glaring hole on the Texans’ offensive line, with Ed Ingram returning at right guard and Jake Andrews at center.
The Texans could try Smith at guard, but he has suggested he will stay at RT.
From there, the Texans would be free to address any of the offensive line spots–save for left tackle, where they have 2025 second-round pick Aireontae Ersery–in the 2026 draft.
Texans Could Face Another Costly Decision
GettyWyatt Teller #77 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after a game against the New York Jets.
Spotrac projected Teller’s market value at $10.2 million annually, suggesting a three-year, $30.5 million contract as something he could garner. The Texans balked at roughly $2 million more for a (slightly) younger player in Jenkins, though. They could feel the same way about Teller.
If the Texans stand pat on Thursday, Teller looms as the potential target in free agency.
The draft also offers an intriguing crop of prospects who could follow in Ersery’s footsteps as rookie starters.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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