HOUSTON -- Houston Texans general manager Brian Gaine said he is "optimistic" the team will sign defensive end Jadeveon Clowney to a long-term contract before the start of the season.
"I won't discuss our negotiations publicly, but I'm optimistic that something can be done," Gaine said Friday at his pre-draft press conference.
Right now Clowney is scheduled to play on his fifth-year option in 2018, where he will get a significant raise because he was the No. 1 overall pick in 2014. Clowney made $7 million in 2017, and in 2018 he is scheduled to make more than $12 million.