Whitney Mercilus is restructuring his contract with the Texans to create $4 million in salary cap space by converting most of his 2021 salary into a signing bonus, according to multiple media reports.
Mercilus is due $10.5 million guaranteed this season, as part of his four-year, $54 million deal signed after the 2019 season. By converting $6 million of the salary into a signing bonus, it lowers his salary camp figure from $12 million to $8 million in 2021.
The veteran outside linebacker still gets all of his money, and becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season with two voidable yeas added to his contract, the Houston Chronicle's Aaron Wilson reports.
Mercilus, 30, played in 13 games and started in 12 for the Texans in 2020, his ninth NFL season. Mercilus had four sacks, but just seven quarterback hits, the lowest he's posted in a season starting 10 or more games.