Report: Texans In “Active Negotiations” With OT Derek Newton & CB Kareem Jackson

Tania Ganguli reports that the Houston Texans are in “active negotiations” with free agent RT Derek Newton and CB Kareem Jackson.

According to Ganguli, it’s “very possible” that Newton and Jackson could return to Houston next year.

This comes just a few hours after Ian Rapoport mentions that it looks like Jackson will test the open market, so it appears as though the Texans have increased their efforts to retain their free agents before they can meet with prospective teams.

Jackson, 26, has played out his five-year, $13.52 million rookie contract and is in line to be an unrestricted free agent in the next few weeks.

In 2014, Jackson recorded 57 tackles, three interceptions and nine pass defenses over the course of 13 games. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 11 cornerback out of 108 qualifying players.

Newton, 27, is a former seventh-round pick of the Texans back in 2011. He has played out his four-year $2,100,256 contract that included just $60,256 guaranteed and is now in position to be one of the best available offensive tackles in this year’s market.

Last year, he appeared in all 16 games for the Texans. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 19 offensive tackle out of 84 qualifying players.