Jadeveon Clowney made it through his first 16-game season in 2017 and is not heading into a pivotal offseason, one that could include a landmark extension. And Texans GM Brian Gaine seems to be leaning in that direction.
The new front office boss said a Clowney extension is “on the horizon,” Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle notes.
This re-up could threaten Von Miller‘s place atop the defensive salary spectrum, Wilson notes, adding Clowney is expected to sign a new deal this offseason. Clowney is slated to play the 2018 season on a fifth-year option salary of $13.846MM. The Texans are projected to possess $56.9MM in cap space entering the offseason.
Set to turn 25 next month, Clowney is coming off another strong season. He registered a career-high 9.5 sacks and a career-best 59 tackles (20 for loss). The two-time Pro Bowler’s deal being in the Miller ballpark, and north of J.J. Watt‘s six-year pact, may have induced issues in past offseasons given Watt’s status. But with the three-time defensive player of the year now coming off two injury-marred seasons, any kind of talks about a new contract would seemingly be tabled until it’s shown he can stay healthy.
Clowney has shown this over the past two seasons after enduring two rough campaigns to start his career, and he may well factor into a unique race in 2018. Both Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack figure to pass Miller’s six-year, $114.6MM deal this offseason. Clowney being in the mix could mean the NFL has three $20MM-AAV defenders soon.