Johnathan Joseph is entering the final year of his contract, but the Houston Texans want to keep him happy. They didn’t add any years to his deal, but the did add some zeroes. The Texans and Joseph agreed to a $1.5 million pay raise which will now pay him $6 million this season.
It’s an odd contract adjustment for the NFL. Usually team would want a player Joseph’s age (He’s 35) to take a pay cut to stay with the team. It could be this is a goodwill gesture for next season when the Texans will probably offer Joseph a one-year contract to return.
The Texans gave CB Johnathan Joseph a raise, per source. He got a $1.5M signing bonus, his base salary increased from $2.9M to $4M, while his per game roster bonuses reduced from $1M total to $500K total. Rewarding a veteran player.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 30, 2019
Last season the veteran cornerback played in 14 games, recording 58 tackles, one for a loss, 13 passes defended, two interceptions and one defensive touchdown. He was originally a first round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006 out of South Carolina.
Cardinals bring in Branch on one-year deal
Linebacker Andre Branch will move out west for the 2019 season. The former Miami Dolphins defensive end will move to pass-rushing outside linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals after agreeing to a one-year free agent contract.
Cardinals signed former Dolphins’ LB Andre Branch.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 30, 2019
Branch was a two-year starter with the Dolphins in 2016 and 2017, but was relegated to a back up role last season. He recorded 25 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one pass defense, starting one game and appearing in 14.
Originally a second round pick out of Clemson in 2012, Branch began his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, getting a starting nod there in the 2015 season.
TRANSACTIONS
- The Washington Redskins continue to bolster their offensive line in the absence of Trent Williams. Tuesday, they signed former Oakland Raider Donald Penn.
- Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has been cleared to start practicing with the Chicago Bears after starting the preseason on the PUP list.
- New York Jets wide receiver Jamison Crowder has been cleared to practice. The Jets also made multiple roster moves, signing offensive lineman Ryan Anderson and cornerback Dee Delaney. They cut OL Toa Lobendahn and linebacker Jeff Allison.
- The New Orleans Saints added running back Robert Kelley and wide receiver Travis Dural. They waived running back Buck Allen and defensive back Chris Campbell.
