Due in part to the Texans’ 2023 defensive performance, a few players from that squad signed large contracts this spring on the open market. Before linebacker Blake Cashman made his next move, a number of parties expressed interest in him.
In March, the 28-year-old signed a $22.5MM, three-year contract with the Vikings, his hometown team. Given that Cashman has spent the majority of his five seasons on special teams, the deal is a significant windfall. Houston wanted to retain him around for 2024 and beyond, but once Cashman was known to be available, they anticipated a robust market.
To further, the former fifth-round pick said, via Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, that, in addition to the Texans, the Broncos, Packers, Falcons, and Steelers expressed interest before he signed with the Vikings. Thirteen of Cashman’s twenty-one starts came from the previous campaign. DeMeco Ryans broke his career best of 106 tackles in his first season as Houston’s head coach. He also added two sacks, one interception, and one fumble recovery.
Cashman will have high expectations because of that production and the terms of his contract, which include guarantees totaling $15MM. This offseason, Minnesota made a significant acquisition in edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, another former Texan, and both players will be expected to carry a starting defensive backfield workload. Given the contract he signed, Cashman would have experienced that on any new team.
After Josey Jewell left Denver in free agency, Cody Barton was added to the linebacker position, somewhat filling the void. De’Vondre Campbell was cut by Green Bay as a cost-cutting measure, but before Edgerrin Cooper was chosen in the second round of the draft, no other plans were made to take his place. This offseason, Atlanta remained quiet on the linebacker front and didn’t make a move until Day 3 of the draft (JD Bertrand). Pittsburgh signed Patrick Queen to a three-year, $41 million contract, making it by far the most profitable LB investment of the group.
At this point, of course, the decisions taken by the other clubs interested in Cashman are only a matter of “what if.” Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that following his impressive 2023 campaign, he was able to create enough of a market to attract interest from other teams. If he can replicate that performance in the future, Minnesota’s investment in him will have paid off.
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