Johnathan Joseph, Texans agree to two-year contract extension

HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans have good cornerback depth and are making sure that doesn't change anytime soon.

The Texans have agreed to a two-year extension for cornerback Johnathan Joseph, a source said. Joseph still had one year left on a contract he signed in 2011, and is now under contract through the 2017 season. The deal is worth $22 million with $11.5 million guaranteed.

Joseph began his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals, and signed with the Texans during free agency in 2011. He helped reverse a defense that ranked dead last in pass defense, allowing more passing yards than any other team in 2010. In 2011, after adding Joseph and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, the Texans allowed the third-fewest passing yards in the league.

"I still think I have some better years ahead of me," Joseph told ESPN.com last week. "I think this will probably be my best season just from being healthy, being able to go through a full OTA session, being in this defense for a second year and obviously having great players around me."

Joseph had toe surgery to end the 2013 season and after the 2012 season had two sports hernia surgeries. This season, having not had any medical procedures, Joseph participated fully in the Texans' offseason program.

The deal will only slightly reduce Joseph's cap hit, which was scheduled to be $12.5 million.

The Texans have spent a lot of money on their cornerbacks this offseason. They drafted Kevin Johnson, a corner out of Wake Forest, with their first-round pick this year. Before that, in free agency, the Texans re-signed Kareem Jackson, who has started with Joseph for the past four seasons. Jackson signed a four-year deal worth $34 million with $20 million guaranteed.