Former Houston Texans inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney may be starting a new chapter with another NFL team, but the former 2018 Pro Bowler took to Twitter Monday to thank his original draft team.
McKinney posted on Twitter an image of him running out onto the field ahead of the Texans’ Sept. 29, 2019, tilt with the Carolina Panthers at NRG Stadium. The linebacker seems to be pointing to a graphic stating “Thank you Houston” while he captions it by saying that, “Houston will forever be called home.”
On Sunday, the Texans and Miami Dolphins agreed to swap draft picks and linebackers as Houston receives edge defender Shaq Lawson in the exchange.
Man thank you for everything H-Town
This city and organization welcomed and embraced me with open arms since day 1. Houston will forever be called home 🚀
Next Chapter: Miami
– 55Live pic.twitter.com/kfmXYH5d4W
— Benardrick McKinney (@bm1157) March 15, 2021
The Dolphins will benefit from McKinney’s leadership, which the Texans will have to find a way to replace in new defensive coordinator Lovie Smith’s Tampa-2 scheme.
“He’s a real good leader, good communicator out there,” Romeo Crennel said on Oct. 14, 2020, when he was the interim coach. “He kind of runs the defense… He could get the linemen lined up, he can help with adjustments. He did it all. Plus, he’s a really good player.”
The Texans drafted McKinney in Round 2 of the 2015 NFL draft from Mississippi State. McKinney recorded three seasons of 100-plus combined tackles with Houston (2016, 2018-19).
