Houston Texans working on extension with Tyrann Mathieu

The Houston Texans are in negotiations with defensive back Tyrann Mathieu for a contract extension.

Houston Texans general manager Brian Gaine has been in contact with agent Tom Condon (CAA) to negotiate a contract extension with defensive back Tyrann Mathieu. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reported that there have been contract talks with a week before free agency starts on March 13th at 3 p.m. central time.

Mathieu proved to be a fit with the Texans on and off the field in his first season, Mathieu lived up to his one year deal $7 million and was elected as one of the team captains. He became a solid player in the Texans defense and a solid presence in the locker room.

The honey badger had 89 combined tackles, eight passes defended, two interceptions, five tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, a season-high three sacks, and four quarterback hits. Mathieu has been vocal about wanting to return to the Texans due to being close to home in Louisiana, and although money won’t be an issue, Gaine will have to strike a deal that makes sense for both sides.

The safety market was dry last season and many of top players at their position signed short deals with the idea to rehabilitate their worth for the next period of free agency. According to Spotrac, safety Eric Reid recently set the bar for upcoming deals signing a 3-year contract extension with the Carolina Panthers worth up to $22,050,000 with $10 million guaranteed.

Texans will have both Mathieu and Kareem Jackson as unrestricted free agents next week if they aren’t able to work out a new deal with either one of them. It seems unlikely that the Texans retain both safeties with the emergence of Justin Reid at the safety position in his first year in the league.

Both safeties will have a number of teams lined up in free agency with the desire to sign them due to the value they could bring to their defense.