Breaking down the CB Desmond King contract with the Texans

The Houston Texans liked what they saw from Desmond King in 2021 and decided to lock up the cornerback for another two seasons.

King signed a two-year deal worth $7 million on March 15.

According to Aaron Wilson from the Pro Football Network, the contract has a $1 million signing bonus with $3.5 million guaranteed. There is another $2 million and $3 million guaranteed on the deal.

King can earn up to $500,000 per game in active roster bonuses.

Last season, the former Los Angeles Charger and Tennessee Titan played in 16 games for Houston, starting in 12 of them. King collected 93 combined tackles, a tackle for loss, three interceptions, six pass breakups, and a forced fumble.

What impressed coach Lovie Smith about King in 2021 was the cornerback’s willingness to tackle.

“One of the things we ask our guys to do is tackle,” Smith told reporters on Jan. 6. “Desmond King is a physical guy that loves to do that, but he also has great instincts playing the ball. When you are a punt returner, that says an awful lot about your ball skill. He’s done a lot of good things for us. Whenever you play an opponent that you once played for there is special meaning to it also.”

King was tied with linebacker Christian Kirksey for the second-most tackles on the team with 93. Linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill led the team with 108.