Former Alabama high school quarterback changing teams in NFL free agency

In 2023, the Denver Broncos signed Houston Texans cornerback Tremon Smith to a two-year contract as an NFL free agent. In 2025, the Texans are signing Smith from the Broncos to a two-year contract as an NFL free agent.

As he was with Houston, Smith was one of the NFL’s most active players on special teams with Denver. In 2024, only three players in the NFL were on the field for more special-teams plays than Smith, who had 387.

Over the previous four seasons, Smith’s 1,487 special-teams plays rank second in the NFL as he joins Chris Board as the only players with more than 1,375 in that span.

Smith and the Texans have agreed on a two-year, $7.5 million contract that includes $4.5 million in guaranteed money to bring him back to Houston, NFL Network, the Houston Chronicle and Denver Post reported on Monday.

Smith’s contract with the Broncos expires at 3 p.m. CDT Wednesday, when he can sign with the Texans. Players with expiring contracts could start negotiating with other teams on Monday.

Smith was an All-State selection as Saks High School’s quarterback in 2013. That season, the Wildcats lost in the AHSAA Class 2A semifinals to Madison Academy 31-21 in a battle of undefeated teams.

Smith made the switch to cornerback at Central Arkansas.

A sixth-round draft choice of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018, Smith was the kick returner on the Professional Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie team.

Kansas City tried to convert Smith to running back during the 2019 offseason and released him after the first game of the season. He finished that campaign with the Green Bay Packers and appeared in 10 games with the Indianapolis Colts in 2020 before coming to Houston in 2021.

In his two seasons with the Texans, Smith was on the field for 381 defensive snaps and 709 special-teams plays. In his other six NFL seasons, Smith has 101 defensive snaps and 1,242 special-teams plays.

Smith got both of his career total of two interceptions with the Texans in 2022.

During his 100 NFL regular-season games, Smith has returned 100 kickoffs for a 24.9-yard average. On Dec. 19, 2021, Smith had a 98-yarder against the Jacksonville Jaguars that was Houston’s first kickoff return for a touchdown since Oct. 4, 2009.

Last season, Smith returned six kickoffs for a 28.2-yard average.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.