As the free agency opened on March 12, Houston woke up to a shock. Their longest-tenured long snapper, Jon Weeks, had moved on after 15 years with the side. It is really for fans to imagine the Texans’ special teams unit without thinking about Weeks. After all, he didn’t miss a single game with them throughout his journey with them and was the longest-serving member in franchise history (suited up for 244 regular season games). But on Thursday night, we got to know that he signed a 1-year, 1.4 million deal with $200k guaranteed with the 49ers.

Post this, the McNair Family thanked the player for his commitment. In a statement, they mentioned: “An admired team captain, deserving Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, and Pro Bowler, Jon exemplified how to do things the right way both on and off the field. We are incredibly grateful for all he has done for our organization during his time as a Texan…” Weeks went unsigned in the 2008 draft and even had a tryout with the Lions in a minicamp. But in 2010, he got his chance at the Texans and made it his home.

It was the start of a long journey but soon, his teammates recognized his abilities and marveled at his determination and courage. DE JJ Watt played alongside Jon Weeks from 2011 to 2020 and had some special moments together. In 2011, Watt started his Houston superstar status with the biggest play in the team’s first-ever playoff appearance back in the 2011 Wild Card game against the Bengals. Fondly remembering Watt’s performance, Weeks once said, “The pick-six. You know, I don’t think there was a better moment at the time and to hear the stadium and how loud and excited that place got. The energy in that stadium till this day still gives me chills. I love that. It was a fantastic play that, you know, he made a dozen times in his career.”

So when the news of Weeks’ departure reached Watt, he couldn’t contain his feelings and posted a powerful message for his long snapper. He commented on a Texans IG post, “What a run. #Legend.” Wait, it didn’t end there. Their bond was special.

Watt shared the news in his IG story and wrote, “A pillar of consistency, determination, and excellence at his craft. Hell of a run in H-Town. Hell of a run. 🤘” It was his way of thanking Weeks for his years of service as a team captain and a dedicated player, helping others to reach their true potential. The LS was there when the team first qualified for the postseason in 2011.

In 2018, Weeks created the franchise record of playing in the most consecutive games, 129. That’s incredible. In 2023, the Texans also paid respect to the athlete by nominating him for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Honor. However, they want the team to move in a new direction with younger players and the 39-year-old didn’t fit that. The fans were heartbroken after seeing him go to the Niners. They wanted more respect for their longest-tenured player.

Fans are sad after hearing Jon Weeks left the Texans…

It was silence in the H-Town. Fans believed that the long snapper would retire as the franchise player, but that didn’t happen. One fan kept it short but revealed their feelings in three words: “Heart-breaking news 💔.” The decision has come when the Texans are in a rebuild. HC DeMeco Ryans wants to win the Super Bowl.

However, some fans were angry about Jon Weeks. One fan called the franchise out for their decision and replied, “Worst decision the Texans have ever made.” Others even called it a danger signal for other players who were seeing a long-term future at the franchise. One person wrote, “Texas organization have 0 loyalty change my mind,” questioning the loyalty to their players.

Weeks is now with the 49ers, who released their long snapper Taybor Pepper. The team also signed long snapper Tucker Addington earlier this offseason to a reserve-future deal. So he was the only long snapper on the roster before Weeks.

The player was unrestricted free agent who played last season under a one-year, $1.377 million deal that also included a $1.21 million base salary and a $167,500 signing bonus on a contract that expired. He wanted to stay with the Houstons, but he too has some goals. “You know the ultimate goal is a Super Bowl and I’m still chasing after it, right? So, I have a good idea of what I want to do. Sometimes, it’s not up to you. So, we’ll see what happens, but I’m excited for the team and the future,” he said as the season ended.

Now it looks like the trade will have more repercussions for the team as the fanbase could turn on them. A few supporters targeted the GM Nick Cesario, for not making any deal and letting him sign a new contract as a free agent. “I will never forgive y’all for this.” Jon Weeks’s departure pained many, as one of them wrote, “I really can’t believe we let him go like wtf 🧍🏽‍♂️” Emotions are bound to be there. With Weeks as their long snapper, the Texans made it to the playoffs for 8 seasons since 2010.

There were many who paid their respect and requested the franchise to give him the Ring of Honor. They even wanted the jersey to retire. But as we move closer to the draft, the team is changing every day. What do you think?