The expansion Houston Texans now have the outside pass rusher so critical to coach Dom Capers' 3-4 defense and free-agent linebacker Kailee Wong has a new home.

ESPN.com has learned that Wong agreed to a four-year, $13.2 million contract with the Texans very early Thursday morning after a long period of agonizing deliberations. He will earn $5.25 million in 2002 between his signing bonus and first-year base salary.

Wong, 25, chose the Texans over the Cleveland Browns, whose offer was similar to that of the Texans. The determining factor was that he will play outside linebacker in Houston and would have played middle linebacker for the Browns.

"He was at a critical juncture in his career where he felt the best role for him was the rush linebacker," agent Steve Baker said. "That was where he felt he could become a dominant player. Kailee became really excited about being in a premier role while starting something special in Houston."

In the 3-4 scheme that is a Capers staple, the outside linebacker positions are premium spots, since those players get plenty of pass rush opportunities. The scheme actually enhances the skills of quick, upfield players, and Wong has played outside previously in his career. He has never had more than three sacks in a season but always demonstrated good pass rush skills.

The former Stanford star was the second-round pick of the Vikings in the 1998 draft. After bouncing between strongside linebacker and defensive end his first three seasons, he moved to middle linebacker in 2001 and posted 99 tackles at the relatively foreign position.

"Free agency is the nature of the beast in the NFL," Vikings head coach Mike Tice said. "Unfortunately for us, we lost a fine, young up-and-coming player. We really liked Kailee."

Over the past two seasons, Wong started all 32 games and totaled 210 tackles. For his career, he has played in 60 games and started 41 of them. He has 270 tackles, 6 ½ sacks, three interceptions and 11 passes defensed.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.