Texans, Henry To’oTo’o Agree To Extension

The Texans have worked out another deal with a key member of their defense. Linebacker Henry To’oTo’o has agreed to a two-year extension, Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report.

This is a $16MM pact, per the report. The deal can reach a maximum of $17MM, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson adds. To’oTo’o was set to be a pending 2027 free agent. Instead, he will now remain under team control through the 2028 campaign with a raise in hand.

Selected in the fifth round of the 2023 draft, To’oTo’o handled a notable defensive role during his rookie campaign with a 43% snap share. That figure jumped to 85% the following year, with To’oTo’o starting all 15 of his appearances. Last season, he saw a slight drop in playing time but still logged over 800 defensive snaps while chipping in on special teams. A similar workload can be expected moving forward.

At an average annual value of $8MM, this deal is certainly not the most lucrative signed by the Texans with one of their linebackers in 2026. Azeez Al-Shaair landed $18MM in AAV earlier this offseason, and he will be counted on as an anchor at the second level of Houston’s defense for years to come. E.J. Speed was added on a one-year Texans deal in 2025, and he re-upped on a two-year pact this spring. The linebacking corps will benefit from plenty of stability this year and beyond thanks to those commitments and this To’oTo’o extension.

The Alabama product topped 100 tackles in 2024 and managed 95 last season. To’oTo’o has added four sacks and seven pass deflections over the past two years, making him an impactful role player on Houston’s defense. At the age of 25, he is seen by the team as an ascending player worth retaining on a multiyear pact. Even so, To’oTo’o will still be able to test the open market relatively soon given the short length of this extension.

Houston ranked second in the NFL in scoring defense last season, and the team will aim to remain elite in that capacity in 2026 and beyond. To’oTo’o figures to have an important role in that effort, and his play over the coming years will dictate his ability to secure another raise on his third contract.