Nick Novak hoping to re-sign with the Texans

By Fansided and Paul Jackiewicz/FanSided via Toro Times
Updated Mar. 5, 2020 1:50 a.m. ET

Kicker Nick Novak is hoping to re-sign with the Houston Texans now that his contract has expired and he’s scheduled to become a free agent.

Novak was a huge reason the Texans were able to win the AFC South in 2016 and he’s made it clear he wants to come back for another run.

“I want to be back,” Novak said Friday, via the Houston Chronicle. “I’m really proud of what we’ve done and I’m excited to be back with the same guys. I really feel like I can help the Texans get to where they want to go. I leave it up to my agent and the personnel department to get a deal done.

“I don’t know what kind of progress is being made, but it’s all positive. I’ve heard some really good things from [general manager] Rick Smith, [coach] Bill O’Brien, [special teams coordinator] Larry Izzo. We’ll see what happens.”

The 35 year-old Novak is suddenly one of the top kickers in the entire NFL.

More from Toro Times

    “I’ve really got to give all the credit to my teammates,” said Novak, referring to holder Shane Lechler and long snapper Jon Weeks. “We have a great unit and cohesiveness building the last two years. I had a lot of opportunities this season, more than I’ve had in my career before. The more I get to do my job, the happier I am. My mentality has always been to be a good teammate and to win games. I just want to do my part.

    “Overall, I think it was a very solid season. From what the coaches told me, they thought I did what they asked me to do. I’m really happy with the production on field goals. Of course, you can always do better. I want to make more kicks from 50 yards or longer. It wasn’t perfect. That’s always the goal. I just love to compete and be with a group of guys trying to win a championship.”

    Novak loves playing for Texans owner Bob McNair.

    “Hats off to the McNair family, can’t say enough about them,” Novak said. “From a standpoint of how much they care about their players and the community, they’re first-class all-around.”

    If the Texans want to re-sign Novak, they may have to give him a contract that pays him over $3 million a year.