Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o agreed to a two-year extension with a maximum value of $17 million and a base value of $16 million, per a league source.

The deal, negotiated by agent Ryan Williams of Athletes First, allows To'oTo'o to reach free agency and get another bite of the apple in two years.

The average NFL career typically comes to a screeching halt after three seasons. To’oTo’o has exceeded that as a proven contributor.

“What Henry brings to our defense is he brings this smart calmness to our defense," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said one day before To'oTo'o's deal was finalized. "He's always in position, always exactly where he should be. You can count on him. You can put a lot on his plate. He can handle things. He can play the Mike and the Will position. He’s a very versatile guy. Henry plays with passion and fire, that rubs off on other guys. To see him play, it's fun to watch him play.

"Henry is a guy that I can always count on. Asking guys to probably change up techniques and put him in those situations where I may want to change some things, Henry is a guy who can take the coaching well and go apply it on the field and put himself in position to make plays for us.”

In 46 games and 35 starts, the 6-foot-2, 228-pound former Alabama standout has been striving for a stronger degree of consistency. With the exception of a few games last year he’d like to have back, To’oTo’o is coming off a strong season. He recorded 95 tackles, second-most on the Texans’ top-ranked defense behind Al-Shaair, with a career-high 2 1/2 sacks and nine tackles for losses with four quarterback hits.

The individual statistics are nice, but To’oTo’o and the Texans have built a standard with three consecutive playoff seasons and a much larger goal after three divisional round losses. They’re chasing a championship.

“My main goal is the Super Bowl, if I’m being honest,” To’oTo’o said. “Obviously, I have my own personal goals, but, first and foremost, is to bring home a Super Bowl for the city of Houston. That comes first and obviously all the personal accolades will come by itself.

“My main goal is bringing the city of Houston a Super Bowl. That’s what you play the game for. Every time we put this uniform on and set foot on the grass, if you’re not coming out to win, if you’re not coming out to be a champion, then you’re not doing it for the right reason. I think we all understand that.”

To'oTo'o has prepared tirelessly for this season working alongside Pro Bowl middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who signed a three-year, $54 million extension this offseason.

"It was a whole village that I put into this offseason knowing what kind of year it is for me personally, but for the team collectively. I want to be the best player that I can be for this team," To'oTo'o said. "try to use all the resources that I had available to be able to make that happen to be the best I could be."

To’oTo’o, 25, starting next to Al-Shaair, has piled up 261 career tackles, 18 for losses, two forced fumbles and one interception with four sacks. He has emerged as a key figure in an elite defense, especially after the season-ending torn quadriceps suffered by third linebacker E.J. Speed. Sometimes, To’oTo’o has to remind himself he’s a veteran counted on for leadership for the younger guys.

“It’s a little weird, like a lot at first, but, man, it’s such a blessing,” To’oTo’o said during teammate Kamari Lassiter’s celebrity softball game. “Not a lot of guys are able to make it this far in your career, like it’s only year four, but not a lot of guys make it that far. Being able to be where I am and helping the younger guys, and whatever knowledge that I have that I gained for these last three years, I try my best to give it to them as much as I can.

“Obviously, I’m still learning, I still pick stuff from Azeez, and I pick his brain still to this day, but it’s pretty cool to see the younger guys ask me questions how I used to, three years ago. Man, it’s just a blessing to be able to help other guys to prolong their career.”