The Houston Texans signed controversial CB Damon Arnette in June 2025. Can the former first-rounder overcome his past and bolster the Texans' secondary?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just when you thought the Texans' offseason was settling into a quiet rhythm, GM Nick Caserio dropped a bombshell. Houston has signed cornerback Damon Arnette, a former 2020 first-round pick whose NFL career was derailed by a storm of legal troubles, to a one-year deal. It's a move that has the entire fanbase buzzing—a classic low-risk, high-reward gamble that could either provide a massive boost to the secondary or fizzle out before the season even begins.
This isn't just a roster move; it's a statement. The Texans are willing to take a chance on talent that everyone else wrote off.
For those who need a refresher, Arnette was the 19th overall pick by the Raiders in the 2020 NFL Draft. His time in Las Vegas was short-lived, and he's been out of the league entirely for three years. After his NFL flameout, he found a new opportunity right here in Houston, playing for the Roughnecks in the UFL this past spring. Clearly, his performance there was enough to get him back on the NFL radar, and the Texans decided he was worth a shot to compete for a roster spot.
Let's not dance around it: this signing comes with significant baggage. Arnette's three-year absence from the league wasn't due to injury, but to a series of off-field issues that made him untouchable for most teams. The timing is also notable, as the signing comes right after a Colorado judge ordered Arnette to pay over $78,000 in damages related to a 2023 assault case. While the Texans have declined to comment on his past, it's a major factor that will follow him into training camp. The front office is betting that Arnette has matured and can stay focused.
So why take the risk? Potential. You don't get drafted in the first round by accident. Arnette has the size and physical tools to be an impact player at the NFL level. The Texans are likely looking at this as a no-lose situation from a football perspective. They get a talented, motivated player on a cheap, one-year 'prove it' contract. If he can recapture his college form and stay on the straight and narrow, he could be an incredible depth piece in a secondary that can always use more talent. If not, they can cut him with minimal financial loss.
All eyes will now be on Arnette as training camp looms. Can he make the most of this second—or is it third?—chance? His journey will be one of the most compelling narratives to follow this summer. The Texans have placed their bet; now we wait to see if it pays off.
