The NFL’s cutdown deadline entering the regular season has become one of the most exciting days of the football calendar.
The Houston Texans followed the tradition started last year by the Bears, crafting a blockbuster trade of their own on Saturday afternoon.
The Texans sent two first-round picks, a second-round pick and two players to the Miami Dolphins for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, wide receiver Kenny Stills and a fourth-round pick.
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Houston, which doesn’t have a true general manager this season, sent more to the Dolphins than the Bears gave up for Khalil Mack.
Ryan Pace gave up two first-round picks, a third-round pick and a sixth-round pick, but he also brought back a second-round pick and a conditional fifth-round pick with his star pass rusher.
Tunsil and Stills are both instant upgrades for the Texans at positions of need, but neither are superstars like Mack.
The Bears also locked in their prized acquisition to a long-term contract before securing the trade. The Texans… didn’t get that far.