Will the Texans’ roster inconsistencies affect S Justin Reid in free agency?

HOUSTON — For a team that has seen a significant amount of turnover since 2018, Justin Reid has been the definition of consistency for the Houston Texans. When healthy, Reid has started 48 out of 52 career games at safety after the Texans selected the Stanford prodigy in the third-round (68th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.

But with the team sitting at 1-8 on the season amid his pending free agency this offseason, the final eight games of the 2021 campaign could be a swan song for Reid when the Texans return from their bye.

“That’s going to come whenever the offseason comes,” Reid said. “We’ve still got nine weeks left. I’m going to tackle the nine weeks. Those conversations are going to be had in February, and we’re just going to have to figure it out then.”

Following the Texans’ 17-9 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Reid described the season as a roller coaster. With the loss at Hard Rock Stadium, the Texans have now dropped eight consecutive games and possessed a 5-20 record dating back to Reid’s third season with the team in 2020.

During Reid’s first two seasons in Houston, the Texans held a 21-11 record with back-to-back playoff appearances.

Reid attributed the continuous personnel changes to the roster as a significant reason behind the Texans’ struggles this season. He says it’s difficult for players — including himself — to find a groove while on the field with changes to the lineup every week.

Although he acknowledges that change is a part of the NFL business, it appears that the never-ending revolving cycle is starting to become tedious to Reid.

Prior to the start of the season, Reid said he has never had the same starting partner in the backfield in the four seasons he has been a Texan. Through the first nine games of this season, Reid has started alongside Lonnie Johnson Jr., Eric Murray and A.J. Moore.

“This is the first time we’ve had all these guys play together on the same team, so a lot of it is chemistry-related,” Reid said Monday. “Guys moving around on the rotation on the starting lineup, too. It has kind of slowed down the chemistry a bit, too. That’s just part of the growth process of us building a new team.”

It is unknown whether or not Reid and the organization have had extension talks, but the 24-year-old safety will become an unrestricted free agent in March.

If negotiations stall, the Texans can place the franchise tag on Reid. But it may take a massive pay raise to keep an unsettled Reid in Houston beyond the 2021 season.

“I think we are still just trying to find the right formula to put the right guys out there and the right combination to go out and put the best product on the field, and see if we can score touchdowns on offense and stop touchdowns on defense,” he said.

“I just play my role – whatever they ask me to do what part, free safety, strong safety. Whatever that is, I’m up for it to help the team get to our ultimate goal of winning and that’s what I do. I focus on my part.”