The Houston Texans made their first outside signing of free agency and, specifically, the legal tampering phase, with Dominique Robinson.
Robinson joins the Texans after four seasons with the Chicago Bears. He hits the market in what should be his prime, which bodes well for the Texans as they look to refine his game more than he already has in Chicago.
He drew plenty of praise in Chicago after working to improve during his tenure.
Texans Sign Former Bears DE Dominique Robinson
GettyDominique Robinson #90 of the Chicago Bears celebrates a sack against the Denver Broncos.
“#Texans signing defensive end Dominique Robinson to one-year, $4 million max, per league sources,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on March 9.
In his follow-up report, Wilson noted that “Robinson (6-foot-5, 275 pounds) is a 27-year-old former Bears fifth-round draft pick from Miami of Ohio,” adding that “Robinson played quarterback and wide receiver before shifting to defensive end in college.”
Robinson was the 174th overall pick in his class.
He arrives in Houston with 68 total tackles and 3.5 sacks in his career, but stepped up as a sub-package edge defender in Chicago in 2025.
Robinson is coming off his four-year, $3.9 million rookie-scale contract in Chicago. Spotrac projected a one-year, $2.9 million contract with the Texans, who will slot him into their rotation behind stars Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr.
The Texans ranked seventh in sacks during the 2025 regular season.
They were 20th in pressure rate, though, per Pro Football Reference, and could use Robinson’s athleticism on the second or third waves up front.
Dominique Robinson Opens Up About Career Turnaround
GettyDominique Robinson #90 of the Chicago Bears reacts after losing to the Detroit Lions.
Robinson’s journey to the Texans includes some deep introspection before this past season with the Bears. He once spoke candidly about suspecting he was on his last legs with the organization.
That was before the 2024 season.
Robinson survived a coaching change the following offseason, and he drew praise from the new staff as he found a niche as a rotational player.
“Honestly, it’s just hard work. Being able to take advantage of all the opportunities that have been presented to me, whether it be on special teams or on defense. So, just doing the best that I can,” Robinson told Clocker Sports in November 2025, following strong comments from Bears general manager Ryan Poles lauding the veteran EDGE to that effect.
“I know my role on this team, and I think I do my role to the best of my ability to anybody around the league. So, want to know the position and know the spot. I appreciate it, being that I am kind of the standard. But all it is is just learning the defense, and it’s nothing crazy.”
Dominique Robinson Part of the Plan in Houston
GettyDominique Robinson #90 of the Chicago Bears reacts against the Denver Broncos.
Robinson has battled injuries throughout his career. He played 12 games in 2025 and has yet to play a full regular-season slate of contests. That will now be the Texans’ responsibility to manage.
The Texans still have some business to tend to at defensive end, even after adding Robinson and extending Hunter. Anderson is extension-eligible, too, and in line for a potentially historic contract.
That makes value signings like Robinson critical for the Texans moving forward.
Texans Sign Athletic Former Bears Playmaker in Free Agency