Mutual Interest Between Texans & CB Johnathan Joseph In Return

Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports that both the Texans and free agent CB Johnathan Joseph are motivated to explore the possibility of bringing him back for the 2018 season.

However, Wilson says that nothing is imminent at this point in time and Joseph would have to agree to a lower salary and possibly a reduced role in the team’s defense.

Joseph said after the season that his “first choice” is to re-sign with Houston this offseason.

“I’m just chilling. We’ll see how it goes,” Joseph said, per Aaron Wilson. “Obviously I want to be here. That’s my first choice. We’ll see how it goes.”

Joseph has made similar statements about wanting to return to the Texans and he’d prefer to get something done ahead of free agency, so this could be something to watch in the coming weeks.

Joseph, 33, is a former first-round pick of the Bengals back in 2006. He spent five years in Cincinnati before departing for a free agent deal with the Texans in 2011.

Joseph is in the final year of his three-year, $22 million contract that included $11.5 million guaranteed and stands to make a base salary of $6 million for the 2017 season.

In 2017, Joseph appeared in 13 games and recorded 45 tackles, no interceptions, a forced fumble and nine pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 62 cornerback out of 121 qualifying players.

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