Stevie Brown

Former Giants safety Stevie Brown could have been had for the right price.

(Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

If the Giants wanted veteran safety Stevie Brown back with the team this season, it wouldn't have taken much.

Brown signed last week with the Houston Texans. It was a one-year worth $825,000, an individual with knowledge of the contract details told NJ Advance Media. The person requested anonymity because contract details were not announced along with the signing.

Brown, 27, will receive a base salary of the veteran minimum ($745K) for a player in his sixth professional season. He received a $40K signing bonuss and can make another $40K in per game roster bonuses.

He will only count $665K against the salary cap.

Brown played under a one-year, $3 million deal last season for the Giants. He counted $2.75 million against the salary cap.

The veteran safety was offered the veteran minimum by the Giants this offseason after an up-and-down year that ended when he hurt his foot in the season finale. Brown needed surgery this offseason, and the Giants never upped their offer despite a glaring need at safety.

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After the Texans presented an offer, the Giants were not offered another chance to beat it. Brown keeps an offseason home in Houston.

The Giants did add two safeties in the draft, including Alabama's Landon Collins in the second round. They also signed veteran defensive back Josh Gordy several weeks back. General manager Jerry Reese views Gordy as another safety option.

The Giants had planned on giving cornerbacks Chykie Brown and Bennett Jackson a look at safety this offseason. Nat Berhe and Cooper Taylor, fifth-round picks in 2013 and 2014, also are expected to compete for a starting spot this spring and summer.

Brown clearly wasn't in the plans.

Jordan Raanan may be reached at jraanan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan. Find NJ.com Giants on Facebook.