MONTREAL – After taking the “slap in the face” of being cut at the end of training camp by the NFL“>Houston Texans, Antony Auclair has managed to demonstrate his value to his new team and he hopes that his comeback, in 2021, will allow him to sign a long-term contract.
Recall that the tight end had experienced a very special year in terms of emotions in 2020. The former member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was injured during this campaign, which had taken him away from the organization’s plans, thus making him live the conquest of the Super Bowl in an observer role.
Auclair had therefore rolled up his sleeves during the off-season by surrounding himself with a team of health specialists in order to relaunch his career. Obviously, he hadn’t arrived on the free agent market with the big end of the stick and he had to settle for a one-year pact to participate in the reconstruction of the Texans.
At 28, the Quebecer has just completed his fifth season in the NFL and he has improved his portfolio. This performance comes at an opportune time as he wishes to avoid signing a one-season contract for the third year in a row. This time, it’s a long-term pact that is in his sights.
“I’m at a point in my career where it’s the right thing to do. This is the time and this is what we want. One-year contracts are good, but we do it to increase its value. This year, mission accomplished. I think I had a pretty good year to get it, ”said Auclair at the very end of a videoconference.
His agent Sasha Ghavami added grist to the mill.
“He showed his worth. If you look at his percentage of offensive games played, it was one of his best if not his best average with 2018 when OJ Howard was injured. He found a good role in Houston and the club valued his contribution, the appreciation is mutual. As for the duration (of the contract), we must be careful, it is the structure which must predominate because the salary is not always guaranteed in the NFL, ”noted Ghavami who expects discussions within four months. at six weeks.
In 2021, Auclair participated in 32% of offensive plays and his contribution to running plays remains his expertise. That said, he caught all five passes including his first career touchdown.
“For me, it’s not a question of statistics. Five catches for a tight end, you might say that’s not a lot. But did I perform the work that was asked of me consistently? The answer is yes. I’ve been pitted against defensive ends that rank among the best,” he noted.
Looking at the portrait of the situation, he considers that he arrived, at 28, at the peak of his career compared to what he can offer to an NFL club.
“With the experience I’ve acquired over the years and my role which continues to evolve, I think I’ve reached my peak. And I’m not old yet even though that’s what Brevin (Jordan, a rookie tight end) kept saying this year,” Auclair said with a smile.
What should not be forgotten in the equation is precisely that Auclair likes to help young people in their adaptation to the NFL. He arrived in Houston with personal goals, but also collectively.
“I developed a good relationship with Brevin and then I hope that I helped him in his development. It’s the same with Davis (Mills, the quarterback). He was launched in the heat of the moment when Tyrod Taylor was injured. It was not easy at first, but the kid has really evolved and it has a very bright future. It’s the same with Nico (Collins), the rookie receivers have done well this year. For me, it’s mission accomplished on this side,” Auclair described when speaking with the coaching side of his personality.
Speaking about the situation at quarterback, Auclair admitted that it was frustrating, on a strictly sporting level, not being able to bet on Deshaun Watson at times.
Auclair has held on this season
After being injured the past two seasons, Auclair entered the 2021 calendar with a certain rage to prove his point. But he was struck, early on, by the unforgiving reality of the NFL when he was cut off and moved to the practice squad at the end of camp.
“It was quite a strange season because there were emotional ups and downs. It was a bit of a slap in the face because I had a great camp. But it is a strategy that we see more and more. Then I scored my first touchdown so it was a defining moment,” summed up the former Université Laval Rouge et Or player.
“My biggest achievement this year is that I managed to tougher all games except one due to COVID-19.[…] I missed the Super Bowl last year so that was something I had to prove to myself,” he added bluntly.
Week after week, the Texans could have simply advised him that his services were no longer required.
“My contract (just under a million) wasn’t guaranteed either so I had to be consistent game after game. I realized that I stand out in adversity. We don’t know what will happen next, but I think it bodes well, ”he said.
A layer of uncertainty is added since the Texans have fired their coach David Culley after only one season and the offensive coordinator must also be replaced. Auclair, however, had a positive meeting with general manager Nick Caserio and Jack Easterby, the executive vice-president of football operations.
“We will try to settle this between February and March, but nothing is set in stone. They told me that they were very happy with my season and that I was a bit of a surprise given that I had been injured the previous two seasons. My goal was really to go there all in “said Auclair.
It would be useless to offer advice to the general staff, but Auclair has repeated several times that he likes the challenge of participating in the reconstruction of this club. He feels like he’s reliving the process he went through with the Buccaneers.
“It takes courage and determination because you’re going to lose a lot of games (4-13 this year) and it’s a long process, but I like being part of it. […] The relationships you develop with your teammates and coaches go beyond winning and losing when it comes to the pleasure of being with an organization. I really like Houston and it’s not because of the city or the good steaks,” said Auclair, who named fullback Paul Quessenberry one of his best friends.
