Mercilus receives contract extension
Texans coach Bill O’Brien was true to his word.
One week after O’Brien said unprompted that he wanted veteran outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus back, the pass rusher has been locked up to a lucrative contract extension.
Mercilus’ four-year contract has a maximum value of $54 million and includes $28.5 million guaranteed, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly. The deal averages $13.5 million annually for the Pro Bowl alternate, making him the 16th-highest paid edge rusher in the NFL.
“We want Whitney back,” O’Brien said after Mercilus recorded two sacks in a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “We want Whitney back here and we want him to be a part of the team for a while.”
Mercilus’ four-year, $26 million contract was expiring and he was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March. The 29-year-old firstround draft pick became emotional when informed about how O’Brien feels about his contributions.
“Man, it means a lot, honestly,” Mercilus said. “Just being able to be here for eight years and putting in work every day and being exactly the guy they want me to be, it’s very flattering.
Just a testament to how hard I work and being a guy that fits the culture they’re trying to instill, a guy who works hard and wants to win.”
Mercilus, 29, has recorded 7½ sacks for the season, four forced fumbles and two interceptions. He has 50 career sacks and 13 forced fumbles.
“Whitney is a hard worker,” O’Brien said. “He works very hard. He puts in a lot of time. He’s here early in the morning and he stays late, tries to do whatever he can that’s best for the team. It was good to see him break through. He does a lot of other things to help us win.”
Meanwhile, the Texans rewarded veteran punter Bryan Anger with a three-year contract extension worth $7.5 million.
Anger, 31, has excelled since replacing Trevor Daniel and signing a one-year, $930,000 minimum contract in September. Now, he gets a raise after an outstanding season.
The former Jacksonville Jaguars third-round draft pick is averaging 46.2 yards per punt with a 44.1 net average and 21 downed inside opponents’ 20-yard lines.
The Texans are following an aggressive strategy under O’Brien, including several trades, waiver claims and three in-season contracts. That includes Pro Bowl alternate center Nick Martin signing a three-year, $33 million deal that includes $18.5 million guaranteed at the start of the season.
The Texans are heading into a busy offseason expected to include blockbuster contracts for quarterback Deshaun Watson and left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
In other roster moves, the teaam promoted offensive lineman Elijah Nkansah to the active roster from the practice squad and cut veteran defensive end Joel Heath.