The Dallas Cowboys signed franchise-tagged defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence to a contract extension on Friday that puts the Pro Bowler in the team’s future plans.
The news begs the question: When will the Houston Texans lock up their own star-studded edge defender, their All-Pro edge defender, in Jadeveon Clowney?
It isn’t a relevant question because the other Texas NFL team did something newsworthy; it’s germane to the happenings of the AFC South champions because both Dallas and Houston are in similar boats: Young, Pro Bowl quarterbacks who are nearing a contract extension which will itself force the franchise to allocate huge resources in keeping them. Of course, for Dallas, it’s a harrier situation because of the expiring contracts of running back Ezekiel Elliott and receiver Amari Cooper.
Nonetheless, the Cowboys worked through their salary cap projections and reached a deal with Lawrence. What is taking Houston so long?
Firstly, Lawrence has labrum surgery on the docket that is going to impact his offseason to the tune of three to four months being spent in recovery. So, while the true franchise tag deadline is still July 15 at 3:00 p.m., the time when the tag sticks and both sides are precluded from negotiating a long-term deal until the next offseason, the reality is the Cowboys’ deadline with Lawrence was much, much nearer than July 15.
For the Texans, they still have time to work things out with Clowney. As Houston has come through the free agency period and ostensibly filled roster holes ahead of the draft, it gives them time to figure out how to sign Clowney to a long-term deal.
Another period where teams attempt to lock up their own is in the lull after the draft and right before teams head for training camp. In 2015, the Texans extended outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus and cornerback Johnathan Joseph, and it occurred right in that window.
In the Texans’ case, naturally, a Clowney extension would have to be before the team begins training camp as the deadline is July 15.
It would behoove Houston to reach an agreement with Clowney soon. Offseason workouts start April 15, and it is when the foundation will be laid for the 2019 team. Better to have your All-Pro edge rusher a part of as much of the offseason program as possible to ensure you don’t start 0-3 again.
