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Sep 23, 2018; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) reacts after a touchdown by the New York Giants during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
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Texans are facing ticking clock with Jadeveon Clowney

Matt Verderame NFL

The Houston Texans have a decision to make.

Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney says that without a new deal, he won’t be attending training camp. This isn’t hard to understand from Clowney’s perspective. The 26-year-old is entering his fifth year in the NFL and was given there franchise tag earlier this offseason by the Texans, ensuring his rights for one ore year. Clowney wants long-term security, assuring a player with a significant injury history that he has generational wealth.

However, it’s also easy to understand why the Texans don’t want to go that route. Clowney has never amassed 10 sacks in a season, and there’s a thought around the league that he may be a bit overvalued. Further to the point, Houston is already paying huge money to defensive end J.J. Watt and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Soon enough, quarterback Deshaun Watson will be making well north of $30 million per year. Is Clowney worth the type of investment we’ve seen with Frank Clark and the Kansas City Chiefs, where Clark got $105.5 million over five years?

If that answer is no, Houston General Manager Brian Gaine should consider all of his options. The deadline to give Clowney a long-term deal is July 15. If it doesn’t happen by then, the Texans can’t sign the former No. 1 overall pick until the following offseason. If no contract is going to get done, it would make sense for Houston to start shopping Clowney for the best package. Considering the Seattle Seahawks dealt Clark to the Chiefs for a 2019 first-round pick and 2020 second-round choice, Gaine might view that as the goal return.

The clear reason why Gaine might balk at such a move would be trying to contend in 2019. Clowney is a huge part of the puzzle defensively, especially for a team that struggles to cover on the back end. If Clowney isn’t there, the pass rush falls to Watt and Whitney Mercilus, another player who is due for a new contract after this year.

Houston has ample options, and no reason to rush. Still, if Clowney and agent Bus Cook make it obvious that their number is well above what the Texans are willing to pay, Clowney can’t be lost for a third-round compensation pick. The move would be to maximize the asset, even if that means making the unpopular move of trading him away before a year of expected contention.

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