Texans rework OLB Whitney Mercilus contract to free up $4 million in salary cap space
New Houston Texans’ general manager Nick Caserio continues to right the wrongs made by the previous regime. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Texans have reconstructed outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus’ contract. By doing so, the Texans have created $4.0 million in salary-cap space.
Mercilus signed a four-year contract extension in Dec. of 2019 worth up to $54 million — with $18 million fully guaranteed. The 31-year-old edge defender had a cap hit of $12 million, which has since been reduced to $8 million ahead of the 2021 season.
Mercilus’ restructured contract allows the Texans to void his final two years, making him a free agent next offseason. After spending three years at the University of Illinois, Mercilus joined the Texans as a first-round draft pick (No. 26 overall) in 2012.
He has spent his entire career as a member of the Texans recording 54.0 sacks in 128 games. Mercilus’ best season came in 2015 when he notched a career-best 12.0 sacks in 16 games.
