Cleveland Browns have a benefit in the Jadeveon Clowney market

The Cleveland Browns were once in negotiations with Jadeveon Clowney, but interest has cooled. However, they do have an inside track to know his market.

Much of the discussion surrounding the Cleveland Browns for the past several weeks is if they should make a move on free agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney was one of the top players in this year’s free agency class, but he remains unsigned just days before the month of June.

The Browns were in negotiations with Clowney back in March, but the deal fell apart as the Browns were not willing to reach Clowney’s salary number. The Browns are not the only team not willing to pay the high price for Clowney, as the 27-year-old’s market has been barren.

Cleveland does have the cap space to make a move for Clowney, and they could even cut Olivier Vernon and his non-guaranteed $15.5 cap hit in 2020 to create even more cap space to make a move for Clowney.

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However, the Browns are being smart with their cap space considering they have multiple contract extensions they will need to hand out in the near future, specifically to Baker Mayfield and Myles Garrett, and potentially Nick Chubb.

Cleveland has started the negotiation process for a contract extension with Garrett, with rumors swirling that a deal could even come in at $25 million per year for Garrett. With such a potential hefty salary going to Garrett, it would make it difficult for the Browns to sign Clowney to a lucrative multi-year contract.

Despite the potential pricey contract extension going to Garrett, it is those negotiations that could help the Browns cause with Clowney negotiations. As Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com points out, Garrett and Clowney share the same agent.

"Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has the same agent as Clowney (Bus Cook). The Browns are working on a long-term extension for Garrett, and that makes it easy for them to be aware of the status of Clowney. – Terry Pluto, Cleveland.com"

Since the Browns front office is likely keeping tabs with Bus Cook trying to work out a deal for Garrett, the regular contact with Cook will allow the Browns to know where Clowney’s market stands at all times.

In that case, if Clowney and his agents decide to reduce their salary demands, the Browns would have an opportunity to swoop in and make a deal before other teams. It seems like the Browns and Cook have mutual respect since the negotiations with Garrett seem to be going well, so the two sides may have nuilt up a trust to the point where Cook may be more willing to work with the Browns on a deal for Clowney.

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It remains to be seen if Cleveland’s preliminary interest in Clowney a few months has completely dissipated or if the Browns are just waiting for the right price. However, being in regular contact with Clowney’s agent could pay dividends for the Browns if they do want to make a deal for Clowney at some point.

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