Whitney Mercilus, Texans Agree to New Contract: Latest Details and Reaction

The Houston Texans agreed to a new four-year contract with outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus on Monday.

ESPN's Tania Ganguli reported the news, adding that the fresh deal for Mercilus is worth $26 million and runs through the 2019 season. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports that the contract features $10.5 million in guaranteed money.   

Prior to Monday's deal going down, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reported that Houston wasn't inclined to pick up Mercilus' fifth-year option from his original rookie contract.

Texans general manager Rick Smith implored outsiders not to read into that too much and emphasized his desire to keep Mercilus around for the long haul, per McClain's report:

"

What I will tell you about Whitney is this. Whitney is very similar to two players that you saw addressed in free agency, whether we’re talking about a first-rounder with (cornerback) Kareem (Jackson) or a seventh-rounder with (offensive tackle) Derek Newton.

These are young players that we feel like are still on the rise, that are getting better, that have a role on our team, that are good teammates, that work hard and that we see their level of play continuing to ascend. Whitney falls in that category, so he's a guy that we would absolutely love to continue to have here [...] for a long time.

"

Smith backed up those words Monday by promptly striking an agreement with his 2012 first-round draft pick. It was key to do so since Brooks Reed departed in free agency and because Jadeveon Clowney is still an uncertain commodity.

Adam Wexler of KPRC-TV in Houston highlighted how Mercilus made promising strides in 2014:

He has developed into a consistent starter for Houston over the past two seasons. Although Mercilus has just 18 career sacks in three years, superstar defensive end J.J. Watt chews up a lot of production .

The Texans shored up several key areas of their defense through the draft, spending a first-round pick on nickel cornerback Kevin Johnson and a second-rounder in inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney.

Infusing that side of the ball with more talent and also securing Mercilus' future should make Houston even more formidable on defense in 2015. The best seems yet to come for the talented Mercilus, who should benefit from the complementary rookies joining the fold.