Texans linebacker Denzel Perryman taking patient approach to free agency, would ‘love’ to play for DeMeco Ryans again

KATY – Denzel Perryman has wisdom and perspective to offer, providing both as the veteran Texans middle linebacker discussed his nine seasons in the NFL on Saturday afternoon

During a panel at Dick’s Sporting Goods that included Baltimore Ravens linebacker Tyus Bowser, retired New England Patriots Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler, retired Texans Pro Bowl corner Johnathan Joseph, NFL trainer Justin Allen and former Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle and Last Chance U alum Ronald Ollie, Perryman spoke from the heart.

“I feel like I had the opportunity to give some type of advice, kind of talk about my journey, my experience and help the next person coming up,” Perryman told KPRC 2 after the discussion concluded. “I rushed to it. A lot of people don’t get this opportunity to show up at Dick’s Sporting Goods and talk with four NFL guys. It’s pretty rare and random. When I got the text and call, I said, ‘I’ll be there.’”

After playing for the AFC South champions last season, appearing in 12 games with 11 starts and recording 76 tackles, six for losses and a half-sack while missing two games due to an NFL suspension for a helmet-to-helmet hit against the Cincinnati Bengals on wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase with the league emphasizing a history of personal fouls, Perryman is taking a low-key, big-picture approach toward free agency.

“Man, I loved the season with the Texans,” Perryman said. “We went pretty far, further than a lot of people didn’t expect us to go. As far as my process for free agency, I’m just working out, being patient, letting things kind of handle themselves and controlling what I can control. I mean, you control the controllable.”

Perryman signed a one-year contract last offseason with a base value of $2.6 million and a maximum value of $3.5 million. Perryman injected toughness into the middle of the defense as a hard-hitting, high-energy linebacker. The former Las Vegas Raiders Pro Bowl selection and University of Miami standout has recorded 662 career tackles, 51 for losses, 18 quarterback hits, 6 1/2 sacks, five interceptions, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

If given the opportunity to play again for Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, who was narrowly edged by Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski for NFL Coach of the Year,

“Oh yeah, I’ll be there,” Perryman said. “I’ll be there. DeMeco, I love playing for him. He was fun to play for. He’s a player’s coach. He understands the game. Obviously, he played the game, so he understands it. The passion, he brings, not only to the game, but the culture, life in general, I love him.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.