Former Houston Texans cornerback Steven Nelson is retiring from the NFL, as initially reported by Aaron Wilson of KPRC on Sunday evening. Nelson, who played for nine seasons, spent his last two years with the Texans. Wilson mentioned that Nelson is stepping away from football to prioritize his family and explore new career opportunities.**
Over the past two seasons, Nelson became a key player in the Texans’ defense, recording 115 tackles, 19 pass deflections, and five interceptions in 32 games. His standout moment was during Houston’s 45-14 Wild Card win against the Cleveland Browns, where he achieved the first of two pick-sixes off quarterback Joe Flacco. He also played a mentoring role for younger teammates, such as Derek Stingley Jr., during his tenure with the Texans, which began when he signed as a free agent in March 2022.
Nelson’s NFL journey started as a third-round pick (98th overall) by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2015 NFL Draft. After four years with the Chiefs, he spent two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and one with the Philadelphia Eagles. Throughout his career, he accumulated 456 tackles, 78 pass deflections, 13 interceptions, and one sack. This offseason, he received multiple offers, including a potential return to the Texans, before deciding to retire.
His most notable season was in 2018 with the Chiefs, where he recorded 68 tackles and a career-high four interceptions.