NFL teams
Tania Ganguli, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Texans cut center Chris Myers

NFL, Houston Texans

HOUSTON -- The Texans released center Chris Myers on Wednesday, after seven seasons during which he never missed a game.

"I've just been very grateful about the situation over the last seven years," Myers said in a telephone interview. "It's not like I have any negative feelings or hard feelings or bitterness. What you learn as a pro early on is it's everyone's time at some point in different scenarios. I'm just real grateful for the relationships that you build over the years and the time that we had in Houston."

Myers, 33, began his career with the Denver Broncos in 2005 as a sixth-round pick out of the University of Miami. He became the starter at center upon coming to the Texans, where he had a prior relationship with then-Texans coach Gary Kubiak, who had previously worked for the Broncos.

Myers became a stalwart on the Texans' offensive line, one of the most dependable players the franchise has ever had. He never missed a game, playing in 16 every year and all four playoff games in franchise history.

"He has been a consummate pro during his time here in Houston," Texans general manager Rick Smith said in a statement. "Chris, his wife, Jenny, and his entire family have represented our organization in the Houston community with class. We appreciate his contributions and wish him the best as he continues his career."

By the end of the 2014 season, Myers had started in 128 consecutive games, the second-longest active streak among offensive linemen. The season finale was the 153rd consecutive game in which he played, the longest active streak among NFL offensive linemen.

Myers was due $6 million in the final year of his contract and had a salary-cap number of $8 million. By releasing him, the Texans save $6 million in cap space.

"You do understand and you know your situation contract-wise and depth-chart-wise and all that kind of stuff," Myers said. "You read into certain things. Do you expect it a little bit. when it happens you're just a little bit more accepting of it."

Myers is a free agent for the first time in his career.

"I still feel like I have a lot in my tank," he said. "I still feel like I'm playing at a high level. Free agency will begin now. We're going to be here in Houston. We love it here, but we gotta go where my career goes. ... Family's always first. Whatever is best for my family we are going to do. What that consists of I'm going to have to figure that out."

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