After benching Kenyon Green following the first quarter in Sunday’s game, there’s speculation that the Houston Texans could be moving on from the former first-round pick.
Entering Thursday’s matchup with the New York Jets, Houston might start Green out of necessity since Jarrett Patterson is in the concussion protocol. That doesn’t mean behind closed doors that general manager Nick Caserio isn’t looking to upgrade behind the trade deadline on Nov. 5.
Teams are interested in trading for Kenyon Green, per Jeremy Fowler, ESPN
“Flipping a guard for a guard wouldn’t exactly shock”
Names Bears Nate Davis as a guard available on the market https://t.co/RfYODG2aOJ pic.twitter.com/EdxMSuO7T9
— Jordan Pun (@Texans_Thoughts) October 30, 2024
Could Green be on the move? It’s not entirely off the table. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Houston could ship the former two-time All-American off to the Chicago Bears to help him reset his career.
In return, the Texans would acquire former Tennessee Titans standout Nate Davis.
“Houston guard Kenyon Green, a former first-round pick, is on a few teams’ trade candidates list. And I had heard that before his Week 8 benching,” Fowler wrote. “Maybe the Texans keep him because highly talented linemen are hard to find, but GM Nick Caserio is known for his aggressiveness, so flipping a guard for another guard wouldn’t exactly shock, either. Also at guard, Chicago’s Nate Davis is available, and the Bears are prepared to cover some of his $8 million salary to facilitate.
Davis, who signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Bears in 2023, has been rotated in as a part-time starter due to injury and inadequate play. He needs a fresh start and it seems Chicago is fine with eating part of his contract just to move him before the 2025 offseason.
Davis has proven his value as a starter in a run-oriented offense during his time in Nashville. In 2022, he graded out at 70.6 by Pro Football Focus and a 69.8 run-blocking grade.
With the Texans, Davis would slide in next to Laremy Tunsil, thus leaving Tytus Howard outside at right tackle while giving Blake Fisher time to learn the position.
Kenyon Green in his return from being benched
3 passes: 3 pressures allowed pic.twitter.com/ifqORYK3YE
— Jordan Pun (@Texans_Thoughts) October 27, 2024
Another option that might not be off the table is adding former top-five pick and Alabama All-American Evan Neal following his benching from the New York Giants. Fowler wrote that New York could move him and it begins to start a fire sale for the remainder of the year.
“At some point, do the Giants cut ties with Evan Neal, a former top-10 pick whom the Giants won’t play despite Andrew Thomas‘ foot injury?” Fowler wrote. “The Giants have several trade candidates if they choose to entertain calls.”
Kickoff from MetLife Stadium is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT.