Packers Reportedly Signing Ex-Texans DE Whitney Mercilus

Whitney Mercilus
Ezekiel Ansah (94) (left) and Texans' Whitney Mercilus (59). Photo by Erik Williams/CSM/REX/Shutterstock

Less than 24 hours after being released by the Houston Texans, veteran defensive end Whitney Mercilus found a new landing spot in NFL. According to multiple reports, Mercilus agreed to join the Green Bay Packers.

Reportedly, Mercilus had a strong market, and several teams attempted to add him, including the Kansas City Chiefs, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Seattle Seahawks. Some even offered more money than the Packers, but the 31-year-old still opted to come to Green Bay.

Mercilus is a second veteran that other teams discarded and the Packers picked up in a swift fashion. Green Bay previously also added Pro Bowl linebacker Jaylon Smith less than two days after the 26-year-old was released by the Dallas Cowboys.

Smith and now Mercilus are expected to play a prominent role on the Packers’ defense after the team struggled with injuries in recent weeks. They lost Pro Bowler Za’Darius Smith in the season opener and second-year outside linebacker Chauncey Rivers in early October to long-term injuries, while veteran Preston Smith is also hurt.

Whitney Mercilus spent his entire pro career with the Houston Texans, who drafted him in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Mercilus, who has a Second-team All-Pro nod from 2016, left the franchise ranking second on its all-time sack list with 57 sacks.

Jasmin can write about almost everything expect about himself. All you need to know is that he likes music, Nutella stuffed pancakes and sleeping till noon on Sundays.