Former Patriots defensive back Myles Bryant is leaving to sign a free-agent deal with the Texans, a source confirmed to the Herald.

Bryant, 26, is coming off a career year, when he posted 77 tackles, an interception, one sack, six pass deflections and two forced fumbles. He played 75% of the Patriots’ defensive snaps, bouncing between nickelback and safety drive to drive and play to play. He originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Washington in 2020, when current Texans GM Nick Caserio spent his final year as an executive in New England.

Bryant’s role in the Patriots defense grew every season, rising from zero starts and roughly one-quarter of snaps played to starting nine games last year. He also served as a backup punt returner. Bryant finishes his Patriots career with 17 starts in 55 regular-season appearances.

Bryant’s departure cuts into the Patriots’ secondary depth, though 2022 third-round pick Marcus Jones is a logical choice to replace him. Jones, like Bryant, is an undersized cornerback with experience at safety.

The Patriots’ remaining corners are Jones, Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Alex Austin, Shaun Wade, Marco Wilson, Isaiah Bolden and Azizi Hearn. Their safety depth chart consists of Kyle Dugger (unsigned transition tag), Jabrill Peppers, Marte Mapu, Jaylin Hawkins, Joshuah Bledsoe and Brenden Schooler.