Texans' Jadeveon Clowney Doesn't Get Long-Term Contract Before Deadline

It appears that Jadeveon Clowney's standoff with the Houston Texans won't be resolved anytime soon.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Clowney did not receive a new contract before Monday's 4 p.m. ET deadline to sign players who received the franchise tag. Per Schefter, Clowney "is expected to miss a good portion of training camp. Next time Texans see Clowney could be late August or early September." 

Earlier in the day, Schefter noted Clowney has yet to sign his $15.97 million franchise tender.

One of the hang-ups appears to be that the Texans tagged him as a linebacker and not a defensive end, a difference of around $1.7 million, even though Clowney played 729 snaps at defensive end and just 33 as a linebacker last year, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network added that the Texans reportedly didn't use the franchise tag on him with the intent of signing him to a long-term extension this offseason. Instead, they wanted to see if he could maintain a high level of play for another year before revisiting the possibility of an extension:

Clowney, 26, had a solid 2018 campaign, registering 47 tackles, nine sacks, three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble in 15 games. 

In his first five seasons, he's registered 29 sacks, though he's also proved to be solid against the run, which has mitigated the fact that he's never developed into an elite pass-rusher after being the top overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft.

The question is just how much value Clowney holds on the edge. While his sack numbers aren't on the level of players like Khalil Mack or Von Miller, he's a three-time Pro Bowler, and the Texans defense is clearly better when he's on the field. But Houston likely wants to see more consistency and top-end sack production before committing long-term, major money to the South Carolina product.

And Clowney justifiably is trying to get paid now before an unforeseen injury could limit his value in free agency. With both sides appearing to be entrenched, don't expect to see Clowney until right before the start of the 2019 season.