2:06pm: The total three-year deal is worth $22MM, with $11.5MM guaranteed, according to McClain (on Twitter). Joseph will now carry a $11.75MM hit against Houston’s cap versus the $12.25MM he was initially slated for.
1:50pm: The Texans and cornerback Johnathan Joseph have reached agreement on a new deal, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). Joseph was set to enter the final year of his contract. The deal will be for three years in total, which means that Jackson got an additional two years on his contract, according to a source that spoke with Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
Joseph was a Pro Bowler in 2011 and 2012, but didn’t play at his best in 2013 due to injury. The nine-year vet was on the field for all 16 regular season games in 2014, however. Last year, Joseph pulled down two interceptions, caused two fumbles, and racked up a total of 75 tackles. The advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus (subscription required) had him as an above average corner in 2014, giving him a 5.0 overall grade good for 23rd amongst all qualified corners. The No. 23 ranking at cornerback might not put him up there with elite corners like Darrelle Revis, but it was his best showing since he finished No. 11 on PFF in 2011.
The deal might come as a surprise to some after Houston used a 2015 first round pick to select cornerback Kevin Johnson. The 31-year-old initially came to Houston on a five-year, $48.75MM deal he signed as a free agent in 2011. Joseph is poised to start opposite of Kareem Jackson for a fifth consecutive season.