Johnathan Joseph explains how new deal came together

Cornerback Johnathan Joseph is entering his tenth season in the NFL and his fifth with the Houston Texans, but what could have been a year filled with uncertainty about his contract status is now resolved. Joesph, who was in the final year of his contract, agreed to a $22-million extension with the Texans last week that runs through 2017.

“Obviously, the closer you get to that moment, the more you start to realize ‘this is the last year of my contract,’” Joseph said, according to the team's official website. “Once OTAs and minicamp started, they called my representatives to let them know they wanted to get something done. That kind of hit home. Then it just kind of took off on both sides wanting to get something done.” 

While the 31-year-old said was aware the team was interested in signing him to an extension, he said he put it out of his mind and focused on football.

“I just stayed out of it and let my agent and the team handle those things and I just continued to go to work, doing my job, going to OTAs and the offseason program and just showing what I’m capable of doing,” Joseph said. “I think that helped also."

The two-time Pro Bowler made 75 tackles and intercepted two passes last season, while forcing a pair of fumbles. He'll start opposite Kareem Jackson in the Houston defensive backfield for the fifth straight year knowing there's more to come.

"A lot of hard work goes into it – hard work, sacrifice, a lot of those things,” Joseph said. “At the same time, just being in a great environment, being on a winning team, having great teammates, and just being around the same guys I think that all took part too. I think it helped me be comfortable here at home and getting to play to the best of my abilities. Obviously, all those things played into it and having Kareem, that had an effect also.”

(h/t Houston Texans)

Photo credit: Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports