The Texans have exercised defensive end Jadeveon Clowney‘s fifth-year option, tweets Mark Berman of FOX 26. Clowney is now in position to stay in Houston through at least the 2018 season.
Potentially keeping Clowney in the fold for an extra year was undoubtedly an easy call for the Texans, who originally chose the ex-South Carolina star first overall in the 2014 draft. Clowney missed 12 games as a rookie and failed to make much of an impact when on the field, but he has progressed significantly since then.
The 6-foot-5, 266-pounder has totaled 10.5 sacks over the past two seasons, including six in 2016, and started all 14 of his appearances last year. He also earned a Pro Bowl nod and a second-team All-Pro selection as an integral part of one of the NFL’s top defenses. Pro Football Focus was also impressed, ranking Clowney ninth among 109 qualified edge defenders.
The fifth-year option for Clowney is guaranteed for injury only, and he’s currently due to make a meager $690K salary in 2017 as he closes out a four-year deal worth upward of $22MM. However, odds are the Texans will look to extend the 24-year-old, who figures to become one of the league’s highest-paid defenders in the near future. The Jets’ Muhammad Wilkerson paces all 3-4 DEs in both annual salary ($17.2MM) and guarantees ($36.75MM), while Clowney’s teammate, superstar J.J. Watt, leads the way in total contract value ($100MM).
Kinda feel that Clowney hasn’t done much to warrant that 1st overall pick. Granted he was hurt in 2014. And he had a pro bowl year last year. It’s just him and Watt we’re supposed to be just an absolute destructive force and I feel that just never materialized with Clowney.
They’ve never been Heathy long enough but maybe this is the year GO TEXANS
Supposed to be a generational type player, so far he’s a bust.
i think Clowney would have better numbers if he played in a defense as a 4-3 DE….instead of a 3-4olb.
I’m in agreement with Json if they could stay on the field together there’s no telling what they could mean for that defense