Houston Texans linebacker Blake Cashman is eagerly anticipating a matchup against his former team, the New York Jets. After being traded to the Texans in March 2022, Cashman has evolved from a fifth-round pick finding his footing in the NFL to a key player contributing significantly to the Texans’ success.
In his current career season, Cashman has made 84 tackles, including nine for loss, five pass deflections, two sacks, and one interception in 11 appearances with 10 starts.
Expressing his excitement for the upcoming game, Cashman sees it as a unique opportunity to compete against his former colleagues and is grateful for the chance the Jets provided him. However, he is now focused on the competition on the field. One standout performance was during the Texans’ 21-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 19, where Cashman, starting at middle linebacker for the first time, delivered an outstanding game with 19 tackles, two quarterback hits, and a pass deflection.
His stellar performance earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week recognition, making him the first player in franchise history to receive the honor twice in a season since J.J. Watt in 2018.
Cashman attributes his success to the offseason dedication he invested in improving his game. While he only played one season under Jets coach Robert Saleh, Cashman drew on that experience when coach DeMeco Ryans implemented a similar defensive strategy.
Ryans commended Cashman’s productivity and ability to make impactful plays, acknowledging his consistent contributions. Cashman, however, is focused on helping the Texans secure a playoff spot, aiming to break a playoff drought dating back to 2019.
His motivation stems from a desire for victory after experiencing five consecutive years of losing with both the Jets and the Texans. Hungry for success and eager to savor the taste of winning, Cashman remains confident in his team’s capabilities.
Despite the long road ahead and more games to play, he believes in the potential of the Texans. During his three seasons with the Jets, Cashman participated in 14 games, primarily contributing on special teams, registering 49 tackles in the process.
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