Kai Kroeger’s move from New Orleans to Houston reshapes Texans special teams
For kai kroeger, the next phase of his NFL career arrives through a trade rather than a fresh contract. The Houston Texans acquired the punter from the New Orleans Saints, positioning him as a replacement for Tommy Townsend while keeping Kroeger’s existing deal in place.
Kai Kroeger arrives as the Texans’ replacement for Tommy Townsend
The Texans filled their punter spot by trading for kai kroeger, a move that also delivered draft capital to Houston. In the deal, the Texans received Kroeger and a seventh-round pick in 2028 from the Saints. New Orleans, in return, received a 2028 sixth-round draft pick.
Kroeger’s path into the league began without a draft-day call. He was a former undrafted free agent from South Carolina, where he earned All-American selection and All-Southeastern Conference selection. Before landing with the Saints, he was previously with the New York Jets.
In New Orleans, Kroeger averaged 44. 8 yards for the Saints. He also had 18 punts land inside opponents’ 20-yard lines, a detail that points to the role he played in shaping field position. Yet, his performance included two blocked punts, which impacted his average.
New Orleans Saints’ Ryan Wright signing made the trade possible
The Saints’ recent signing of former Minnesota Vikings punter Ryan Wright created the opening for this move. With Wright added, Kroeger became available for a trade, and Houston acted to bring him in as its new punter.
The transaction also clarified what will not change immediately for Kroeger: he is not getting a new deal right away. Instead, he stays on the contract he already has. Kroeger is under contract with salaries of $1. 005 million and $1. 112 million through the 2027 season.
That structure means the Texans are adding a specialist without an immediate renegotiation, relying on the terms already in place while shifting future draft positioning with the 2028 pick swap.
Houston Texans add Jake Hummel as special teams plans take shape
The trade for Kroeger was part of a broader set of special teams decisions in Houston. The Texans are also signing former Baltimore Ravens linebacker and special teams standout Jake Hummel, adding another piece to that unit.
Hummel agreed to a two-year, $5. 25 million deal. The agreement includes a $900, 000 signing bonus, a $1. 25 million salary guaranteed in 2026, an annual $100, 000 signing bonus, annual $250, 000 in per game active roster bonuses, annual $250, 000 Pro Bowl incentives, and a $1. 9 million salary in 2027 that is non-guaranteed.
Hummel, a former Iowa State player, played 82 percent of the Ravens’ special teams snaps last season and has 49 career tackles. His profile also includes a timed 4. 51 seconds in the 40-yard dash, a number that often informs special teams roles where speed is a premium.
For kai kroeger, the trade places him in Houston with a clear job description: step in as the Texans’ new punter after the departure of Tommy Townsend. The Saints, meanwhile, move forward after signing Ryan Wright, and the draft-pick exchange sets the ledger for both teams in 2028.
