NFL free agency was always an option but never the priority for Antony Auclair.
The Canadian tight end signed a one-year contract extension with Houston on Monday, two days before the start of NFL free agency. Auclair said Wednesday his goal was always to remain with the Texans and not test the open market.
"It's all about comfort with your team, your teammates and the city," Auclair told Canadian reporters during a video conference. "We didn't want to go to free agency.
"It's a long process. You have to change your city, your workplace and get to know new people. The reality is I'm comfortable in Houston and I want to stay there."
Auclair signed with Texas as a free agent last year after starting his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The six-foot-six, 256-pound native of Notre-Dame-des-Pins, Que., registered five catches for 47 yards and a touchdown in 16 regular-season games (13 starts) with Houston.
Auclair's offensive production isn't surprising given he's been utilized more for his blocking prowess than contributing to the passing game. The former Laval star has 15 catches, 131 yards and a touchdown in 56 career NFL games.
"It's not about statistics," Auclair said. "The reality is it's all about doing your job.
"We get a grade every game from the coaches or scouts and for me, being a 75-to-80 per cent guy is winning football. I'm just here to do my job and whatever they ask me to do I take pride in doing it."
Houston hasn't yet announced the signing but is expected to after the new league year officially begins Wednesday afternoon. Auclair's contract details weren't divulged but his deal is reportedly worth US$1.9 million with $1.6 million guaranteed.
Auclair's agent, Sasha Ghavami, said negotiations with Houston GM Nick Caserio were very good because both sides understood Auclair's value.
"It made the negotiation enjoyable in the sense there was never a disagreement as to the quality of the player," Ghavami said. "There are going to be disagreements in the process over numbers and value structure, that's part of the game, but there was mutual interest in getting a deal done.
"We were open to options but the priority was coming back to Houston and it got done in a way where the contract we finally came to an agreement with made sense for both sides."
The '21 season was a difficult one for Houston (4-13). The Texans fired first-year head coach David Culley and promoted defensive co-ordinator Lovie Smith to the head job.
But the familiarity doesn't stop there as Pep Hamilton, who served as Houston's passing game/quarterback coach last year, was promoted to offensive co-ordinator. However, tight ends coach Tim Berbenich is a new addition.
"He (Berbenich) is the only guy I don't know so I'll have to get to know him this spring and go from there," Auclair said.
Danny Barrett, a former CFL quarterback and head coach, remains Houston's running backs coach, a post he's held since 2018.
Veteran Tyrod Taylor and rookie Davis Mills shared Houston's quarterback duties last year before Mills was named the full-time starter in December. Mills was just 2-9 in 11 starts but the wins came over the Texans final five regular-season contests as he finished 263-of-294 passing (66.8 per cent) for 2,664 yards with 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
"Davis went to Stanford so he's pretty smart and he kind of figured it out as the year went on and got better," Auclair said. "I think the future is bright for Davis Mills, for sure."
Veteran Deshaun Watson remains on Houston's roster but never played last season after 22 women accused him of assault in civil lawsuits. With Watson recently being cleared of criminal charges, the Texans are expected to deal the quarterback this off-season.
Auclair, when asked about Watson, politely declined comment.
Auclair joined the Texans in April 2021 after four seasons with Tampa Bay, where he signed as an undrafted free agent in 2017. The former Laval star was on the Buccaneers' 53-man active roster but didn't dress for their 31-9 Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 7, 2021.
Leading up to Tampa Bay's Super Bowl title, the franchise had posted records of 5-11 (2017-18) and 7-9 (2019). Head coach Bruce Arians was hired before the 2019 season, then the Buccaneers added quarterback Tom Brady and colourful tight end Rob Gronkowski in time for the 2020 campaign.
That year, the Bucs finished with an 11-5 record before going 4-0 in the playoffs.
Brady guided Tampa Bay to a 13-4 record and top spot in the NFC South last season, but the Buccaneers' season ended with a 27-20 playoff loss to the eventual Super Bowl-champion Los Angeles Rams.
Brady retired shortly afterwards. But earlier this week, the seven-time Super Bowl champion announced he was returning to Tampa Bay for a 23rd NFL season.
"I'm happy for him," Auclair said of Brady. "I don't think he left the way he wanted to and that's why he's coming back."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 16, 2022.
Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
