The Houston Texans like what they have seen from 29-year-old Whitney Mercilus and want to keep the outside linebacker a part of their future plans.
According to a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Texans have reached a deal with the former 2012 first-round pick from Illinois that would keep him in Houston for the next four years.
Texans and LB Whitney Mercilus just reached agreement on a four-year deal that will keep him from hitting free agency, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2019
Mercilus has collected 48 tackles, 7.5 sacks, two pass breakups, two interceptions, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 15 starts this season. The 6-4, 258-pound edge defender has had to play more of a role generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks since the club traded Jadeveon Clowney on Aug. 31 and lost defensive end J.J. Watt to a torn pectoral on Oct. 27.
After Week 16’s 23-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coach Bill O’Brien expressed interest in bringing back Mercilus. Now, that has become a reality.