Veteran slot receiver Braxton Berrios has signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Houston Texans (March 2025). The former Jets and Dolphins return specialist will bolster Houston’s offense as he recovers from a recent knee injury.
Braxton Berrios, a 30-year-old wide receiver and return specialist, agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with the Houston Texans on March 14, 2025. This signing was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and later confirmed by the Texans’ official transaction log. Berrios joins Houston after two seasons with the Miami Dolphins, where he recorded 27 catches (238 yards) and one touchdown in 2023. The Texans view Berrios as a slot receiver and special teams boost, adding depth to a receiving corps led by Nico Collins and new acquisition Christian Kirk.
Braxton Berrios’ NFL Career
Braxton Berrios was a sixth-round pick (210th overall) by the New England Patriots in the 2018 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami and entered the NFL as a speedy slot receiver and return specialist. In his rookie season, Berrios spent 2018 on injured reserve but still earned a Super Bowl LIII ring when New England won the championship. The Patriots waived him before the 2019 season, and Berrios was claimed by the New York Jets in September 2019.
With the Jets from 2019 to 2022, Berrios gradually developed into a key contributor. Notably, in 2021, he led the NFL with a 30.4-yard kickoff return average and was named first-team All-Pro as a returner. That season, he tallied 46 receptions for 431 yards and two receiving touchdowns, and also scored on special teams. In March 2022, he re-signed with the Jets on a two-year, $12 million contract. Berrios made history as the first Jets player to throw and receive a touchdown in the same game (Week 17, 2021), and he was twice named an AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
After struggling through an ankle injury in 2022 and quarterback changes in New York, Berrios was released by the Jets on March 9, 2023. He quickly signed with the Miami Dolphins on March 16, 2023. In Miami, Berrios played in 16 games (with one start), making 27 catches for 238 yards and one touchdown in the 2023 season. He also returned 18 kickoffs (441 yards) and 23 punts (235 yards) in Miami, continuing to serve as a versatile return specialist.
Braxton Berrios (#0) of the Miami Dolphins warms up before a game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Sept. 12, 2024. Berrios spent two seasons in Miami (2023–2024), recording 27 catches in the 2023 season. He tore his ACL in October 2024 and missed the rest of the season; in 2025, he signed with the Texans.
Braxton Berrios (#0) warms up before a game in 2024. He made 27 catches in 2023 with Miami. Now signed with Houston, he aims to recover from his knee injury.
Alt text: Braxton Berrios (#0) in a teal Miami Dolphins uniform warming up on the field.
Berrios dives for a catch during the Dolphins’ 2024 preseason (at Hard Rock Stadium, Aug. 15, 2024). Over his NFL career (81 games), Berrios has totaled 1,323 receiving yards and six touchdowns, along with multiple special teams scores. His versatility as a quick slot receiver and returner is seen as an asset for the Texans.
Berrios (#0) dives for a catch against the Jaguars in 2024. In 81 NFL games, he has 1,323 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. Houston expects him to bolster its slot receiving depth.
Alt text: Braxton Berrios (#0) in a white Miami Dolphins uniform, diving to catch a pass during a game.
Dolphins Tenure and ACL Injury
In Miami, Berrios continued his role as a slot receiver and return man. The Dolphins’ 2024 offseason press release noted his contributions: in 2023, he amassed 238 receiving yards and one touchdown, plus 441 kickoff-return yards and 235 punt-return yards. After re-signing with Miami in March 2024, Berrios appeared in six games that season. He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in Week 7 (Oct. 21, 2024) and was placed on injured reserve. He caught no passes in those six games, as he was primarily handling return duties when injured.
Berrios’ injury ended his Miami tenure and paved the way for his free agency move. ProFootballTalk noted that Berrios “tore his ACL in his sixth appearance” for the Dolphins, and would miss the rest of that season. Houston’s March 2025 signing thus represents his return to action after a lengthy rehab period.
Houston Texans Fit and Impact
Houston’s decision to add Berrios reflects both roster needs and offensive strategy. In 2025, the Texans bolstered their wide receiver corps by trading for veteran Christian Kirk, leaving Berrios to contend for slot duties alongside Nico Collins. Sports Illustrated observed that Berrios “signed a one-year contract to give this group another depth option at wideout who also presents value on the special teams unit”. His speed and return skills align with Houston’s emphasis on dynamic playmakers.
The move also comes as key Texans receivers continue to deal with injuries. Star slot receiver Tank Dell is recovering from a significant leg fracture, so Houston sought additional slot talent. By signing Berrios (a quick 5-foot-9 receiver), the Texans “are provided with [a] quick receiver who also can double up as a kick returner if called upon”. This veteran presence could keep the offense potent even if the younger receivers miss time.
Timeline of Key Events
- Oct. 2018: Drafted by New England (6th round, pick 210); placed on IR, later earned a Super Bowl LIII ring.
- Sep. 2019: Claimed by the New York Jets from Patriots’ waiver wire.
- 2021: Emerged as Jets contributor; led NFL in kick return avg (30.4 yards) and earned first-team All-Pro as returner.
- Mar. 2022: Re-signed by Jets on a two-year, $12M contract.
- Mar. 2023: Released by Jets (March 9) and signed by Miami (March 16).
- 2023 season: Played 16 games for Miami (27 catches, 238 yards, 1 TD), plus 676 total return yards.
- Oct. 21, 2024: Tore ACL in Week 7 (Dolphins vs. Colts); placed on injured reserve.
- Mar. 14, 2025: Signed a one-year, $2M contract with the Houston Texans.
Expert Analysis
Media reaction to Berrios’ signing has been largely positive. NBC Sports noted the Texans “added a wide receiver in the first minutes of free agency,” highlighting that Berrios’ deal was reported by Schefter. Sports Illustrated’s Texans coverage emphasized that Berrios brings experience and special-teams value. As SI writer Jared Koch put it, Berrios “offers another depth option at wideout who also presents value on special teams”. Koch’s Houston Texans site also reported that Berrios is already settling in well: “It’s been awesome… this coaching staff… it’s been a very easy transition… [we have] an amazing group here,” Berrios said during a Texans radio interview. The receiver added that getting to know the new team was “very easy” because he already knew some teammates, and he praised Houston’s facilities and coaching staff.
From the Texans’ perspective, analysts note that Berrios addresses specific needs. With veteran C.J. Stroud at quarterback, adding a quick slot receiver like Berrios helps stretch defenses inside. Koch’s piece also pointed out that with Tank Dell sidelined, Houston “remained diligent in adding bodies in the room, especially as threats in the slot”. Battle Red Blog (SB Nation’s Texans community) likewise observed that Berrios’ signing, alongside Christian Kirk, could help stabilize a passing game that missed two starters early in the 2025 season.
What’s Next for Braxton Berrios
Berrios will now focus on his recovery and competing for a roster spot in Houston. With training camp expected to begin in mid-July 2025, he should have around nine months of rehab on his torn ACL, which could allow a comeback late in 2025. The Texans’ official reporting indicated that Houston had signed him as a free agent; further details of the contract (e.g. guarantee) were not disclosed by the team, but media outlets reported the $2M figure.
The coming months will determine how Berrios fits into Houston’s plans. Assuming he regains health, he is likely to compete for snaps in the slot receiver role and possibly return duties. His experience could help mentor younger receivers and provide coach Nick Caserio’s team with veteran depth. At the same time, Houston’s wider offseason moves (including efforts to retain Stefon Diggs) will shape the final roster. For now, coaches and fans will be watching Berrios in workouts and camp. As one observer noted, the Texans will “get their next shot to suit up on the field” when camp opens.
Personal Note and Human Interest
Off the field, Berrios has attracted attention for his relationship with social media personality Alix Earle. The Miami Herald reported that Earle, a TikTok influencer, has frequently commented on Berrios’ career moves, fueling speculation about whether she might join him in Houston. The couple began dating in 2023, and some fans have followed their travels on social media. While this is secondary to the on-field news, it adds a human-interest angle: fans will be curious if Earle makes the move to Texas as Berrios did.
FAQ:
- Who is Braxton Berrios?
Braxton Berrios is a 5-foot-9 NFL wide receiver and kick returner, born Oct. 6, 1995, who played college football at the University of Miami. He was a sixth-round draft pick by New England in 2018, later played for the Jets (2019–22) and Dolphins (2023–24), and in 2025 signed with the Houston Texans. - What teams has Berrios played for?
Berrios began with the New England Patriots (2018), then spent four seasons with the New York Jets (2019–2022). He joined the Miami Dolphins in 2023, playing two seasons there, before signing with the Houston Texans in March 2025. - What was Berrios’ contract with the Texans?
The Texans signed Braxton Berrios to a one-year, $2.0 million contract, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The team’s press release on March 14, 2025, confirmed the signing. Specific details like guaranteed money were not publicly disclosed. - How has Berrios performed in the NFL?
Through the 2024 season, Berrios totaled 134 receptions for 1,323 yards and 6 receiving touchdowns in 81 career games. He is also a standout return specialist: in 2021 he led the NFL in kickoff return average and was named first-team All-Pro as a returner. - What was Berrios’ injury status?
Berrios suffered a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in October 2024 during a Dolphins game, ending his season. He did not have any catches that year, as he was primarily handling return duties before the injury. The Texans’ signing in 2025 suggests he has been rehabbing the injury and aims to return to play for Houston.
Sources
We drew on official team announcements and news reports for these facts. Key sources include the Houston Texans’ own transactions page (March 14, 2025)houstontexans.com and the Miami Dolphins’ press release (Mar. 21, 2024)miamidolphins.com. ProFootballTalk (NBCSports, Mar. 10, 2025)nbcsports.com and Sports Illustrated (Mar. 10, 2025; Jun. 21, 2025)si.comsi.com provided context and quotes. We also used team sites and official stats (e.g. MiamiDolphins.com) for career numbers and background. Any new or uncertain information is clearly attributed or flagged as speculation.
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