Tashaun Gipson wasn't sure where he would land once free agency began. The veteran safety admits he was fortunate, having only three days of being unclaimed before the Texans did sign him. Now entering his ninth NFL season, Gibson says the roller coaster of emotions was worth the uncertainty. The Dallas native is finally back home in Texas.
"The feel of just being back in the state of Texas is awesome, just an amazing feeling right now and that's just one of the biggest things that I take away from this," Gipson said March 12 on Texans Radio. "I took it for granted being able to be close to home, playing in front of my family. You got to understand football is such a big deal out here and coming back in this environment, you really can't beat this. I couldn't have scripted my career to land and fall in a better environment than this right now."
The Texans signed Gipson as a free agent on March 12. Gipson, an undrafted free agent in 2012, played three seasons in Cleveland (2012-15) before the Jaguars signed him as an unrestricted free agent in 2016. This time as a free agent, Gipson wanted more than just money. He was also determined to find the right team for him. After facing the Texans twice a year each year as an AFC South opponent, Gipson knew exactly what Houston had to offer him.
"You have a franchise quarterback over here, you have the best receiver in the league, in my opinion and many other people's opinions," Gipson said. "You just have so many moving parts, not to mention a defensive line because that speaks for itself. It's just one of the situations where, when everything added up from just everything outside of the football realm, you look and say man the football part is easy. There's so many great guys in the locker room that I don't personally know yet, but I'm excited to get to know. Those guys know ball."
Gipson started all 16 games in the last three seasons in Jacksonville, becoming just one of five safeties to record at least 20 interceptions since entering the league in 2012. Last year, Gipson recorded 54 tackles (44 solo), one interception, seven passes defensed, one tackle for loss and one quarterback hit after in 16 starts for the Jaguars.
Check out some of the best shots of new Texans safety Tashaun Gipson. (Photos via AP Images.)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Tashaun Gipson (39) celebrates an interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) enters the field before kick-off against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL game Sunday, December 2, 2018 in Jacksonville, Fla. (Rick Wilson via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018 in Jacksonville, Fla. The Steelers won 20-16. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) celebrates his second quarter interception against the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL game Sunday, October 7, 2018 in Kansas City, Mo. (Rick Wilson via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars won 6-0. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) during a NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (Tom DiPace via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL game Sunday, December 2, 2018 in Jacksonville, Fla. (Rick Wilson via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) during pregame warm-ups against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL game Sunday, November 18, 2018 in Jacksonville, Fla. (Rick Wilson via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Thursday, Dec. 06, 2018 in Nashville,TN. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. (39) closes to the ball in action against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday October 7, 2018 in Kansas City, Mo. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Thursday, Dec. 06, 2018 in Nashville,TN. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) during an NFL regular season football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won, 40-7. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL game Sunday, October 28, 2018 in London. (Rick Wilson via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) celebrates his second quarter interception against the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL game Sunday, October 7, 2018 in Kansas City, Mo. (Rick Wilson via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) runs out before the first half of an NFL football game against Philadelphia Eagles at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. (39) drops into coverage in action against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday October 7, 2018 in Kansas City, Mo. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) breaks up a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Deonte Thompson (10) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. (39) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) after snagging an interception in action Sunday October 7, 2018 in Kansas City, Mo. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Tashaun Gipson (39) sets up for a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars won 31-20. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) lines up in the secondary during a Week 6 NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 14, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Jaguars 40-7. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) lines up in the secondary during a Week 6 NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 14, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Jaguars 40-7. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Tashaun Gipson (39) in coverage prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville won 31-20. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) against the Tennessee Titans in an NFL game Sunday, September 23, 2018 in Jacksonville, Fl. (Rick Wilson via AP)
