The Houston Texans improved on both sides of the ball by agreeing to deals with defensive tackle Vince Wilfork and wide receiver Cecil Shorts III on Monday.
Wilfork, who spent the first 11 seasons of this career and won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, agreed to a two-year deal according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
The veteran nose tackle will reunite with former teammate Mike Vrabel, now the Texans’ linebackers coach, and former Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, who was New England’s defensive coordinator when Wilfork was drafted in 2004.
Wilfork, 33, provides a steady presence in the middle of the Texans’ defensive line between All Pro J.J. Watt and 2014 top overall draft pick Jadeveon Clowney.
Like Wilfork, Shorts also agreed to a two-year deal with Houston. According to McClain, Shorts’ deal is worth $6 million.
Shorts, 27, joins the Texans after four seasons and 176 catches with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Shorts didn’t see much action as a rookie in 2011, but he caught at least 50 passes in each of the last three seasons. Shorts caught 55 passes and set career highs with 979 yards and seven touchdowns in 2012. He also added 66 catches for 777 yards and three scores in 2013 and 53 catches for 557 yards and one touchdown last year.
The 6-foot, 202-pound Shorts can play both inside and outside and provides another pass-catching threat opposite DeAndre Hopkins for whoever will be throwing the passes (Brian Hoyer or Ryan Mallett) for the Texans when the season rolls around.
The Texans released Andre Johnson, the franchise’s all-time leading receiver, last week. Johnson signed with the Indianapolis Colts last Wednesday.
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