Unlike quarterback Matt Schaub, the Texans are willing to talk about contract extensions with some of their pending free agents.
According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, the team is currently talking about new deals for left tackle Duane Brown and outside linebacker Connor Barwin.
Brown’s becoming a top left tackle, and Barwin led the team with 11.5 sacks last year, making both big-ticket purchases.
“They’re still talking. I’m letting those guys handle it,” Brown said. “We’ll see if something’s going to happen in the next couple of weeks or so. They’ve been ongoing. We’ll see what happens. I’m not too worried about it. If it happens, that would be great. If not, I’ll just keep preparing for the season. That’s all I can do.”
The Texans have a policy against negotiating during a season, so if they want to extend Brown and Barwin, it’ll likely happen soon.
“Conversations have started again,” Barwin said. “Hopefully, something gets done by the start of the season, but if it doesn’t – my position, and, I think, their position – is that we’ll be okay.”
The Texans have given no indication anything’s pending for Schaub, at least until he proves he can stay on the field. If they can secure all their parts and the team makes a run, that could end up costing them. But at the moment, that seems like a risk they’re willing to take.