Free agency is looming for cornerback A.J. Bouye, but he's not going to get caught up in it all.
At least for now.
"I really don't focus on what's about to happen or anything like that," Bouye said Monday. "After this, I'm going to go pick up my daughter. I'm probably going to get away this weekend with my cousin then take my daughter to Atlanta next week. I'm just not focused on that right now. I just want to spend as much time with my family as I can and my daughter now that I have time to and just relax."
Bouye will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason after being re-signed by the Texans last March as a restricted free agent. Despite being fourth on the depth chart at the start of the season, Bouye worked his way up to the starting role following the season-ending injury to Kevin Johnson. The undrafted college free agent out of Central Florida has gotten national recognition this season for his play-making against the league's top receivers and tight ends.
"I've been through a lot here with the organization, a lot of ups and downs," Bouye said. "But they never gave up on me. I'm appreciative of that. Me and the DBs especially were very close. Like I said the day before, I just would like to be back. We'll see what happens, though."
Bouye, in his fourth season with the Texans, led the team tied for ninth in the NFL with 16 passes defensed. He also added two interceptions in the postseason, including one on Tom Brady, becoming the first player in Texans history with an interception in back-to-back playoff games.
"Free agency is tough and I can tell you that we want A.J. Bouye back," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "He's one of us, you know what I mean? He's a guy that was undrafted before we got here and when we came here, based on his own work ethic, the coaching from John Butler, the guy has done an excellent job. I mean, I would tell you that just in talking to people around the league that I really trust that I think he's viewed as a top corner."
In the 2016 regular season, Bouye set career marks with 11 starts, 62 tackles, 16 passes defensed, two tackles for loss, and one quarterback hit during the regular season. He finished the postseason with five solo tackles, two interceptions, six passes defensed, and one forced fumble.
The Texans and Patriots faced each other in the Divisional Playoff at Gillette Stadium.
