The Texans’ Whitney Mercilus, right, and Vernon Hargreaves III warm up before a game against the New England Patriots on Oct. 10 in Houston. (AP file photo)

In his 10th season with Houston, Mercilus was released by the one-win Texans on Tuesday. Contenders quickly called to express their interest.

Ultimately, Mercilus chose the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday and signed on Thursday. Just like that, he went from a rebuilding team to a championship contender that’s won five in a row.

“I enjoyed my time there,” Mercilus said after Thursday’s practice. “The fans embraced me ever since I got there. It was great. A lot of great players that I got to play with during my time and I’ve seen a lot of changes from (Gary) Kubiak to (Bill) O’Brien to (David) Culley.

“With that being said, I’m just grateful to be here. Been accepted with open arms, love it. The energy, it’s amazing. Honestly, it just pumps new life (into me) because I’ve only seen the same four walls for years and to see something different is pretty cool.”

Houston Texans defensive end Whitney Mercilus walks off the field after a 31-21 loss to the Browns in Cleveland on Sept. 19. The Green Bay Packers on Thursday signed the veteran outside linebacker in hopes of boosting not only their pass rush but their championship hopes. A first-round pick by the Houston Texans in 2012, Mercilus had 57 sacks in nine-plus seasons. (AP file photo)

A free agent for the first time, Mercilus said Kansas City and Pittsburgh were among the teams that were interested. After talking to contacts around the league, along with Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst, coach Matt LaFleur and former Texans and current Packers receiver Randall Cobb, Mercilus signed with the outside linebacker-needy Packers.

“As the first time going through the process, man, it was pretty cool, and I was happy that I was wanted elsewhere,” he said.

The Packers are rolling despite several key injuries. They are hoping Mercilus will not only boost their pass rush, but their championship hopes.

On Wednesday, with the news of the possible addition of Mercilus, the team’s most recent championship was on Aaron Rodgers’ mind.

“This season is beginning to remind me a little bit of a season over a decade ago, where we’ve had a number of injuries and in the course of the season added certain pieces to the mix that ended up playing a big role down the line,” Rodgers said. “I think you guys can imagine what season I’m talking about, which is a good thing.”

That was the 2010 season, when the team won the Super Bowl despite having 16 players on injured reserve. The situation isn’t as dire this season, but the Packers have been hit hard by injuries, in general, and at outside linebacker, in particular, with Pro Bowler Za’Darius Smith and backups Chauncey Rivers and Randy Ramsey on injured reserve.

The other veteran starter, Preston Smith, is dealing with an oblique injury. By the end of Sunday’s victory at Chicago, Green Bay was down to 2019 first-round pick Rashan Gary, 2020 seventh-round pick Jonathan Garvin and La’Darius Hamilton, who was signed off Tampa Bay’s practice squad last month.