Texans trade for Patriots OT Marcus Cannon, reunites with Nick Caserio

Longtime New England Patriots offensive tackle Marcus Cannon has been traded to the Houston Texans, reuniting him with general manager Nick Caserio on their new AFC team.

The Houston Texans are making some moves this weekend, as they have traded for former New England Patriots offensive tackle Marcus Cannon. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Texans general manager Nick Caserio were able to orchestrate a deal on Sunday. Caserio traded linebacker Benardrick McKinney to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Shaq Lawson earlier.

Cannon had spent his entire nine-year NFL career in New England. He was one of the eight Patriots players who opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID concerns. Though Cannon has never been to a Pro Bowl, he was a three-time Super Bowl champion during his run in New England. Clearly, Caserio views Cannon as an important asset, which his why he traded for him.

What does Marcus Cannon bring with him to the Texans organization?

Cannon brings nine years worth of ample starting experience at offensive tackle. He has played 115 games, making 69 starts with the Patriots from 2011 to 2019. Though he has only played in 16 games in a season twice, Cannon has missed no fewer than 12 games in seven of his nine NFL seasons out of TCU. Simply put, he will be a major contributor whenever he is on the field again.

But above all else, Cannon brings with him a championship pedigree to the only NFL franchise to never play in a conference game before. Granted, the Texans are the youngest team in the league, but they have never been able to win multiple playoff games in a single postseason since their 2002 inception. Maybe Cannon and Caserio can help get the Texans out of their 2020 funk?

By trading for Cannon, it means Caserio is serious about getting it right in his first year on the job.