The Houston Texans made official their use of the franchise tag Monday on defensive standout Jadeveon Clowney.

The non-exclusive tag means they can match any offer sheet Clowney receives or accept compensation of two first round picks for a team signing him. He can not be traded until he signs the franchise tag.

Clowney has to be offered and accept a new contract by July 15 or he will be forced to play under the guaranteed one year tag number. Clowney will be tagged as a linebacker meaning his one-year guaranteed salary will be $15.967 million which is 120 percent of his previous year's salary. Pro Football Focus reports Clowney playing more snaps at defensive end this season. A defensive end tag would have been worth almost $2 million more than the linebacker tag. Clowney was rewarded an extra $1 million this past season on his fifth-year option after an assessment of his position. The NFL decides the positional tag.

Texans General Manager Brian Gaine said this about Clowney and the tag process in a press release.

"Today, we have placed the franchise tag on Jadeveon Clowney, but our goal is to continue to work with his representation on a long-term contract," he said. "This gives us both an opportunity to continue to do so."

Cody's Take

This is the way the business is played right now. There wasn't really a deadline for them to reach a deal, that isn't until July. Clowney and the Texans can spend the next few months discussing and posturing on a new deal. I am sure Clowney's side wants money close to the most ever for a defensive player. There is no thought in my mind the Texans should pay that amount, but he should be rewarded.

The tag of linebacker is a bit silly as Clowney is basically a defensive end who can stand up for this team. Ultimately, that doesn't matter if a new contract is reached. If there isn't a new deal I don't expect to see Clowney until he absolutely has to show up to play. No mini-camp. No training camp. We will see Clowney when he has to sign and show up.

Missing those events is Clowney's right and I fully support his ability to do so. Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack missed camps before. So have other players. It isn't the end of the world if he misses the offseason workouts with the teams, but, you'd prefer he is there.

I would expect a pissed off and motivated Clowney in the upcoming season. Clowney keeps improving and there isn't an end in sight on his talent. One franchise tag makes a little bit of sense. I don't believe they would risk tagging him again and him sitting out a season.

The contract will be big if they can get it done. It will make some people uncomfortable but don't worry about the money. The Texans have it. They have planned for this. TexansCap projects the Texans to have $64 million after the franchise tag. The team got a little bit of a deal on DeAndre Hopkins and J.J. Watt is below market value as well right now. Deshaun Watson has a rookie quarterback deal. The money is fine for the next few seasons. I also would expect Watt ponders asking for a new deal if Clowney gets a deal higher than his deal, which if he gets a new contract he will.