Texans veteran long snapper Jon Weeks has signed a one-year contract to remain with the team for his 15th season with the AFC South champions.
It’s a one-year, $1.21 million base salary contract, plus a $167,500 signing bonus for a total of $1.377 million in compensation, per a league source.
“Very, very happy and thankful to be back,” Weeks said in a statement provided by his agent, Darren Deloatche, of Ascension Enterprises, Inc.
A former Pro Bowl selection, Weeks was named the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.
It’s regarded as the league’s most prestigious honor as it recognizes players’ impact in the community.
“Jon Weeks is the epitome of a man who leads by example,” Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair said. “We’re so proud of the leader he is on our team and in our community. For more than a decade, Jon has made a profound impact on everyone around him and he is extremely deserving of this honor.”
Weeks joined the Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2010 out of Baylor.
He is extremely reliable and durable.
He has played in more games than any player in franchise history, appearing in 227 consecutive games. He has recorded 33 career tackles with one fumble recovery.
Weeks has demonstrated his continued commitment to the community by serving as a sponsor in the Houston Texans Community Huddle Ticket Program, as well as annually visiting Texas Children’s to bring Thanksgiving dinner to patients in the hospital’s Heart Center with his teammates. In addition, Weeks and his wife, Amanda, host an annual Christmas shopping spree for kids from Child Advocates, giving more than 25 kids the opportunity to shop for gifts at a local Target during the holiday season.
“My parents and grandparents always told me that if you’re in a position to give and to better someone’s life, it’s your responsibility to do it,” Weeks said. “I hope when I retire that people say, ‘He was a good teammate, he was a better person and he cared about people. He went out and tried to make Houston a better place.’”
The Texans, under the direction of special teams coordinator Frank Ross, had the top-ranked special teams in the NFL under the annual Rick Gosselin special teams rankings.
Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn connected on 27 of 28 field goals during the regular season and 21 of 22 extra points.
Punter Cameron Johnston averaged 47.7 yards per punt with a net average of 43.7 yards.
And linebacker Neville Hewitt had 14 tackles in kick coverage, tying him with Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin for the most special teams tackles in the league.
The Texans want to retain their core special teams group and are making efforts to do so with Weeks the first of those anticipated deals, per league sources.
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.