Report: Texans, LT Duane Brown agree to new $53.4 mil contract

Brown has been rewarded with a contract extension. (Getty)

As I mentioned in my All-AFC South team post, Houston's Duane Brown might be the best left tackle you don't know about. Now, he's being rewarded as such.

The Houston Chronicle's John McClain reports that the Texans and Brown have reached agreement on a new contract that's worth $53.4 million over $6 million with $22.08 million guaranteed. According to McClain, Brown was at the top of the Texans list to re-sign (next up apparently is linebacker Connor Barwin).

The extension doens't actually begin until 2013, so Brown will contine to make slightly more than $2 million for 2012.

“We are thrilled to have solidified our offensive line with this extension for Duane,” Texans general manager Rick Smith said in a statement. “We believe Duane is an outstanding young left tackle who has the determination, commitment and ability to develop into one of the NFL's top performers. It's also an exciting day for our organization. We've laid the foundation for sustained success and this is an important step in building on that and toward a championship.”

Here's what coach Gary Kubiak had to say about Brown this offseason.

“Duane loves to play,” Kubiak said, via the team's official website. “He has a good time on the field. Duane can run; he's a heck of a specimen from that standpoint. He plays against the best players in the league rushing the quarterback. Once you get the confidence that you can play with those guys, the sky is the limit. I think that's where Duane is right now. He's got a chance to be a Pro Bowl player. …

“I thought he played as good as any tackle in football last year, but they usually make you do it more than once. I'm ready for him to come back and do it again.”

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, and subscribe to our Pick-6 Podcast and NFL newsletter. You can follow Josh Katzowitz on Twitter here: @joshkatzowitz.