The Texans center will be sticking around a little while longer
Texans sign Martin to baffling extension
Sep 10, 2019, 12:55 pm
Jim Rogash/Getty Images
The Houston Texans and center Nick Martin agreed to a contract extension.
The Texans have signed C Nick Martin to a three-year, $33M extension with $18.35M guaranteed, per source.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 10, 2019
The signing of Martin at this number is baffling. The average annual salary ties him for third among center with five-time All-Pro Maurkice Pouncey. It is roughly a top-ten figure when it comes to guaranteed money at the center position.
He was drafted as a replacement for incumbent starter Ben Jones who left in free agency to the Tennessee Titans. Jones, since his departure, has been a mainstay for the Titans and even earned a contract extension with Tennessee.
Martin meanwhile has regularly been below average. He graded out as the 17th best center according to Pro Football Focus in 2018 among players who played half the snaps or more. Last year the Jones, both of the Colts centers, and Jacksonville center Brandon Linder all graded out higher than Martin.
He was the 5th best center according to grading in a four team division.
The Texans are taking a huge risk committing to Martin for this length of time when huge money will be due to Laremy Tunsil and Deshaun Watson in the near future.
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