Shane Lechler has been the Texans punter since 2013.
Head coach Bill O'Brien hopes the Pro Bowler returns to the Texans in 2017.
"He's a guy that we would like to have back here," O'Brien said of the 17-year veteran. "Hopefully we can work something out."
Lechler will be a free agent in March. He was one of the 10 best in the NFL this season in yards per punt (47.5) and punts downed inside the 20 (30).
"He did a good job for us," O'Brien said. "I think everybody knows how I feel about Shane. He's a great pro. He's had a great career here."
In addition to another strong year punting, O'Brien pointed out the value of Lechler's leadership. Lechler was a team captain for all 16 regular season games and both playoff matchups.
"He's a leader in the locker room, he's a captain," O'Brien said. "Means a lot to me personally. He had a heck of a year. Did the things that we asked him to do. It was good to see that."
Lechler pinned the Raiders inside the 20 a Texans playoff record four times in the Wild Card victory.
* *
The Houston Texans roster in photos. (Updated 3/2/2021)

ILB, Tyrell Adams #50

TE, Jordan Akins, 88

DT, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98

P, Bryan Anger, 9

CB, Cornell Armstrong, 30

C/G, Beau Benzschawel #62

DT, Ross Blacklock #90

ILB, Curtis Bolton #47

DT, Andrew Brown, #97

TE Pharaoh Brown #85

C, Cohl Cabral #72

WR, Randall Cobb #18

ILB, Dylan Cole, 51

CB, Gareon Conley, 22

WR, Brandin Cooks #13

WR, Isaiah Coulter #82

WR, Keke Coutee, 16

CB, Keion Crossen, 35

ILB, Zach Cunningham, 41

DE, Brandon Dunn, 92

OLB, Duke Ejiofor, 53

ILB, Kyle Emanuel, 56

K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, 7

TE, Darren Fells, 87

G, Hjalte Froholdt #77

OL, Zach Fulton, 73

CB, Phillip Gaines #29

FB, Cullen Gillaspia, 44

OLB, Jonathan Greenard #52

ILB, Nate Hall, 48

NT, P.J. Hall #96

WR, Chad Hansen, #17

CB, Vernon Hargreaves III #26

T, Charlie Heck #67

RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #22

OL, Tytus Howard, 71

RB, Buddy Howell, 38

RB, David Johnson #31

CB, Lonnie Johnson, Jr., 32

T, Roderick Johnson #63

LS, Anthony Kukwa #45

LB, Jacob Martin, 54

QB, AJ McCarron #2

LB, Benardrick McKinney, 55

OLB, Whitney Mercilus, 59

WR, Steven Mitchell, Jr., 11

S, A.J. Moore, 33

S Eric Murray #23

DE, Charles Omenihu, 94

S, Jonathan Owens, 36

RB, Scottie Phillips, #40

G/T Brent Qvale #76

WR, Damion Ratley, #19

CB, John Reid #34

S, Justin Reid, 20

OLB, Brennan Scarlett, 57

OL, Max Scharping, 74

S, Michael Thomas #28

TE, Kahale Warring, 81

DL, Carlos Watkins, 91

QB, Deshaun Watson, 4

LS, Jon Weeks #46