Ka'imi Fairbairn

Career StatsB+

Year	Team	GP	FG%
Career		92	87.6%
2025		15	91.7%
2024		17	85.7%
2023		12	96.4%
2022		17	93.5%
2021

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Texans locked up a reliable leg at a reasonable price, with Ka'imi Fairbairn's two-year, $13M extension representing solid value for an above-average starter at the position. While $6.5M AAV puts Fairbairn in the upper tier of kicker salaries, his consistent production justifies the investment for a franchise that's finally building something meaningful in Houston. At 30 years old, Fairbairn is entering his prime kicking years rather than decline phase, and his track record of clutch kicks gives the Texans confidence in high-leverage situations. The heavy guaranteed money ($11.1M of $13M) shows real commitment, but the short term length protects Houston from long-term risk if his accuracy dips. This B+ CVI reflects smart roster building — the Texans identified a position of strength and secured it without breaking the bank, allowing them to allocate bigger money toward skill positions as they continue their rebuild around C.J. Stroud.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where Ka'imi's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Ka'imi Fairbairn enters his 10th NFL season as one of Houston's most durable and dependable specialists, earning a solid B+ overall grade. The 32-year-old has quietly built a legitimate case as a high-floor starter in a league that increasingly values kicker consistency. His longevity with the Texans organization speaks to a reliability that front offices prize above almost anything else at his position. This season, Fairbairn is converting field goals at a 91.7% clip, comfortably above the NFL average of 85.0% and knocking on the door of the elite threshold of 93.0%. That accuracy profile puts him firmly in the top tier of active kickers, comparable to names like Evan McPherson and Brandon Aubrey in terms of dependability. The one area of concern is his 2024 regression, where he posted a C- grade after back-to-back strong years, raising durability and consistency questions heading into this stretch. His current A- campaign in 2025 is a strong bounce-back after that 2024 dip, and his A+ 2023 season confirms this level is closer to his true baseline. If Fairbairn sustains this accuracy into the postseason, he projects as a legitimate weapon for a Texans team with championship aspirations. Watch whether he can close the gap to that 93.0% elite threshold — doing so would cement his legacy as one of the better kickers of his generation.

How Ka'imi Compares at the Position

Ka'imi Fairbairn ranks 3rd of 39 graded pks by performance. That slots Ka'imi between Nick Folk (B+) just ahead and Chase Mclaughlin (B) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Ka'imi Fairbairn enters the 2026 season riding an extraordinary wave of positive momentum after the Houston Texans made him the highest-paid kicker in NFL history with a two-year, $13 million extension. His record-tying six field goals in a single game cemented his reputation as one of the most clutch and reliable specialists in the league, drawing widespread praise from analysts and fans alike. The AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor further reinforced his standing as an elite performer at his position, and the contract itself serves as a powerful organizational endorsement of his value. Media coverage surrounding Fairbairn is uniformly celebratory, with narratives centered on his composure under pressure and his consistency as a franchise cornerstone — a rare distinction for a kicker in today's NFL. Heading into 2026, fan and media perception of Fairbairn is at an all-time high, with the broader football community viewing him as the gold standard at his position and a legitimate difference-maker for a Texans team with legitimate playoff aspirations.