Auclair, 27, became a free agent this off-season and said multiple teams had expressed an interest in him. But with 2017 first-round pick O.J. Howard set to return to Tampa Bay next season, Auclair's departure wasn't overly surprising.
"Patience was a key in this free agency," Auclair told reporters during a videoconference Friday. "The market was different than last year with the salary cap going down.
"There was an opportunity there (return to Tampa) but for me as a player and for my future, the best thing for me is to move forward and try somewhere else. We were trying to see what teams had the most interest and the Texans were there right from the start of free agency and that means a lot."