Report: Jadeveon Clowney, Texans Not Expected to Meet Deadline for New Contract

The Houston Texans have yet to hammer out a long-term extension with Jadeveon Clowney, and the chances are slim the two sides will reach an agreement before the July 15 deadline, according to the Houston Chronicle's Aaron Wilson.

The Texans placed the franchise tag on Clowney in March. As a result, he'll make $16 million in 2019 before once again hitting free agency.

Le'Veon Bell sat out the entire 2018 season rather than signing a one-year franchise tender with the Pittsburgh Steelers after a breakdown in negotiations over a long-term contract.

Wilson reported Clowney is "likely to miss at least a major portion of camp" but isn't expected to miss any regular-season games. Houston opens the year Sept. 9 against the New Orleans Saints.

Clowney was a Pro Bowler for the third straight year and had nine sacks in 2018. Houston presumably wants to keep him on the team beyond 2019, but The MMQB's Jenny Vrentas wrote the team might hesitate to break the bank to make that happen:

"His injury history is one consideration—he had microfracture surgery on his right knee as a rookie, and needed an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee after the 2018 season—though he's only missed a total of three games the past three seasons. The bigger issue, in my view, is they may not feel Clowney's production warrants his being paid as a top-tier pass rusher."

The Texans' front-office situation complicates matters.

They fired general manager Brian Gaine in June and haven't hired a replacement. Houston abandoned its pursuit of Nick Caserio, the New England Patriots' director of player personnel, after the Patriots filed tampering charges with the NFL.

When that plan fell through, the Texans effectively put head coach Bill O'Brien in charge of football operations.

At the very least, the absence of a dedicated GM doesn't make negotiations with Clowney's representatives any easier as the deadline approaches.