2024 NFL free agency: Texans K Ka’imi Fairbairn contract details

Details emerged regarding the new contract for Houston Texans kicker Houston Ka’imi Fairbairn.

The 30-year-old is now one of the highest-paid kickers in the league after he and the team agreed to a three-year extension worth $15.9 million, according to KPRC’s 2 Aaron Wilson.

#Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn’s three-year, $15.9 million deal includes signing bonus slightly over $4 million, guaranteed each of the first two years of the extension, total guaranteed roughly 60 percent of the deal. Fourth-highest paid kicker in #NFL @KPRC2 @NFLPA

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 8, 2024

Fairbairn becomes the league’s fourth-highest-paid kicker, with an average annual salary of $5.3 million. Only the Baltimore Ravens’ Justin Tucker, the Indianapolis Colts’ Matt Gay nd the New York Giants’ Graham Gano have a higher per-year price tag. 

The Hawaiian has the highest percentage of guaranteed money in his contract of any kicker at 69.6%, according to Over The Cap. Fairbairn’s contract includes the first two years guaranteed and a total guarantee of $11 million. 

Houston rewarded Fairbairn after he made 27 field goals in 28 attempts. He did not miss a field goal within 50 yards last season and has made nearly 95% of his kicks in the past two years.

Fairbairn has been the team’s kicker since 2017 and has scored 731 points in his career with a percentage of 87.1. His career long is 61 yards, which he set in 2021. He signed with the Texans as an undrafted free agent out of UCLA in 2016.

On kickoffs, he posted the second-highest touchback rate of his career, at 63.8%. Fairbairn is only 30 years old, and if he can stay healthy, he could sign another contract or two. 

He spent 2016 on injured reserve, and an injured calf forced him out of a Week 9 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This led to third-string running back Dare Ogunbowale entering as the emergency kicker. Fairbairn missed the next five weeks.

Houston’s offense emerged as one of the league’s most explosive last season, and the threat of Fairbairn’s big leg only adds to the dynamic element. Fairbairn has made 11 of his 12 attempts from 50-plus yards in the past two seasons.