Jadeveon Clowney is going to get paid, period. The only questions are when and by which team?
The Houston Texans need to make sure it’s their uniform Clowney continues to wear, and the sooner they lock up the standout defender, the better. For both parties.
Clowney is playing out the fifth-year option of his rookie contract he signed as the No. 1 overall pick in 2014. He will earn $12.3 million as a result, with a salary cap hit of just under $14 million. The Texans have no problem affording either figure, but that wouldn’t be why the team needs to lock Clowney up for the long term.
The primary reason for the urgency on the Texans part is the further and inevitable escalation of contracts. Other top-shelf pass rushers are also due for new deals, namely Oakland’s Khalil Mack and Ziggy Ansah of the Lions. Getting in front of the market is the only way to control the cost.
Ansah is playing on the franchise tag value at over $17 million. Both he and Mack will top that in annual value with their next deals. Clowney certainly will too.
Of course, there is risk with Clowney and his ongoing knee issues. He missed minicamp because of a clean-up procedure, and he’s missed the equivalent of a full season in four years with various knee surgeries. For a team like the Texans, who have been snakebitten with J.J. Watt’s unfortunate injury issues after his mega-contract, it makes the risk even touchier.
Clowney is worth the risk. From his positional versatility to his run defense, his youthful (he turned just 25 on Valentine’s Day) upside to his proven dominance when healthy, the Texans couldn’t possibly replace all Clowney offers them should he leave town for the highest bidder.
Signing him now, while the pen is still primed from Benardrick McKinney’s smart extension, means the Texans help set his market. Whatever Mack, Ansah, Aaron Donald and other defensive standouts who will hit the market won’t matter, because Clowney’s deal will be done. That is how smart teams prudently contain costs without risk of alienating the player.
Of course, Clowney would have to agree to the deal. GM Brian Gaine and the Texans still have enough cap room to reward No. 90 with a huge upfront bonus that could convince him to sign for a little less overall, if they choose. It’s a choice they need to make soon for the best interest of the future of the franchise.