After failing to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal, the Houston Texans have rewarded former first-round pick Whitney Mercilus with a four-year, $26 million extension.
The Houston Chronicle’s John McClain reports that the extension calls for a $5.25 million signing bonus and $10.8 million guaranteed.
Mercilus, the 26th overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, has put up 18 sacks in three seasons with the Texans. With him locked up long term, Houston’s front seven has an opportunity to be dominating moving forward. It boasts the best defensive player in the league in J.J. Watt and the 2014 No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney. That’s a whole heck of a lot of talent up front.
Though, it must be noted that Mercilus’ new deal is an indication that the Texans expect more from the 24-year-old pass rusher moving forward. Teams simply don’t pay EDGE rushers $6.5 million per season to average six sacks. It’s time for the Illinois product to step it up.
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