Report: Texans, Clowney 'making progress' on extension
The Houston Texans and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney are "making a lot of progress on a mega-extension," according to a report from The MMQB.
Per The MMQB's Albert Breer, Clowney's new contract will "set the floor" for defensive end Khalil Mack's eventual extension from the Oakland Raiders, which the sides are expected to work toward this offseason. It also might impact defensive tackle Aaron Donald's negotiations with the Los Angeles Rams.
Texans general manager Brian Gaine indicated in February at the combine that the team was looking into extending Clowney.
"That's something that we're currently evaluating right now, about the feasibility of that," he told reporters at the time. " It's certainly something we have interest in."
Clowney, 25, is entering the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, which will pay him $12.3 million in 2018.
He battled injuries through his first two seasons after going No. 1 overall in 2014, but has collected 15.5 sacks combined over the last two campaigns. He had 21 tackles for loss and 21 quarterback hits last season after notching 16 and 17, respectively in 2016.
According to previous reports, Clowney's deal could beat Von Miller's six-year, $114 million pact that currently makes Miller the league's highest-paid defensive player.
Mack, 27, went four picks after Clowney in 2014 but has been the more consistently productive player, tallying 40.5 sacks through four seasons and claiming Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2016, beating out Miller by one vote. He has 29 tackles for loss and 48 quarterback hits over the last two seasons combined.
Donald, who turns 27 in May, went 13th overall in the same draft and is coming off of his own Defensive Player of the Year campaign. He has 39 career sacks through four seasons and racked up 32 tackles for loss and 58 quarterback hits from 2016 to 2017 despite playing on the interior, where pressure is usually more difficult to come by.
Donald held out through training camp last season while hoping for a new deal, returning to the team before Week 1 but missing the opener as he worked back into game shape.
--Field Level Media