Washington, D.C. – March 25, 2026. Tim Settle, former defensive tackle for the Houston Texans, has signed a 3-year, $24 million contract with the Washington Commanders, marking his return to the team.
“I asked multiple times to stay, but the team didn’t want to pay more for my contributions. They said they needed the money for other purposes, and I knew it was for Sheldon Rankins. I love the Texans, but I had to leave because I didn’t feel valued here anymore.” Settle shared about his decision to depart.
Settle joined the Texans in 2024 and had an impressive season, but after the team signed Sheldon Rankins, he felt that he was no longer valued in the system.
In the 2024 season, Settle set career highs with 10 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, and 10 quarterback hits, making a significant impact on the Texans' defense.
However, Settle faced injuries during the 2025 season and could only play 15 tackles and 1 sack before being sidelined with a foot injury for the remainder of the season.
His inability to continue playing was one of the reasons the Texans decided not to extend his contract and instead brought in Sheldon Rankins to strengthen the defense.
“At that point, I felt I had no opportunity to prove myself in Houston,” Settle said, "They no longer needed me and allocated the money elsewhere."
For Settle, moving to the Washington Commanders represents an opportunity to regain his form and play a key role in their defense.
He cherishes his time in Houston, but not feeling respected led him to seek a new team where he could contribute and grow.
Washington Commanders signed Settle to a 3-year, $24 million deal, potentially rising to $25.5 million if certain contract conditions are met.
This marks Settle's return to Washington, the team that drafted him in the 5th round in 2018. He left the team after the 2021 season to join the Buffalo Bills.
Signing Settle is a significant move by Commanders to strengthen their defensive line, especially given their struggles on defense during the 2025 season.
“Settle brings us experience and stability to the defensive line,” the Commanders head coach shared, "He will be an important addition for us."
Settle is expected to join forces with Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen to form a powerful defensive trio that will help Commanders improve their run defense.
Though still young (28 years old), Settle has accumulated valuable experience and is ready to become an essential member of Commanders in the upcoming season.
The reason Settle had to leave Texans was due to intense competition and the arrival of Sheldon Rankins, a player the team decided to invest in instead of keeping Settle.
“Both the Texans and I knew that Rankins was the main reason I had to leave,” Settle admitted. "I no longer felt appreciated."
Now, Settle has a fresh opportunity with the Commanders to start anew and prove that he can still be one of the top DTs in the NFL.
Joining the Commanders not only gives Settle a new opportunity but also allows him to further his career and compete for a playoff spot in the near future.
With a $24 million contract, Settle has made an important move in his career, not just for the money but for the opportunity to continue developing his football journey.
