Defensive back Eric Murray is returning to the Houston Texans for a fifth season.
He and the team agreed to a one-year, $1.75 million, according to KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson The contract also includes $425,000 in guaranteed money.
#Texans one-year deal for Eric Murray: $1.75M, $425,000 guaranteed, $300,000 signing bonus, salary $1.25M ($125,000 guaranteed), $11,765 per game active roster bonus, up to $200,000, $350K playtime incentive
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 11, 2024
The agreed-upon contract is heavily structured toward playing time. Murray receives $11,765 for every game he plays on the active roster and has a $350,000 playtime incentive written into the deal.
Murray, 30, finished 2023 with 13 tackles and one forced fumble. He started the season’s first four games before suffering a season-ending knee injury against the New Orleans Saints. Murray would finish the year on injured reserve.
In 2020 and 2021, Murray was the primary starter at free safety, appearing in 30 games across two seasons. Murray moved into a depth role in 2022 and contributed to special teams. The expectation is for Murray to continue in this role in 2024.
Before arriving in Houston, Murray played for Kansas City and Cleveland. He was a fourth-round pick and will now play into his 30s, a milestone few mid-round picks reach.
Murray is one of the few Houston players to survive multiple head coaching changes, a clear sign that the front office values his presence. He joins a defensive back room composed of Derek Stingley Jr., Jimmie Ward, and Jalen Pitre, along with re-signees Kris Boyd, Desmond King, and Lonnie Johnson, who agreed to a one-year deal to return to the team.
