Cleveland Browns, Jadeveon Clowney agree to deal
After weeks of speculation and rumors that the Cleveland Browns would be interested in signing free agent edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, the two agreed to a one-year deal on Wednesday afternoon.
The former No. 1 overall pick visited the Browns for the second time in a matter of weeks, and this time won’t be leaving Berea without a deal, pending he passes a physical. The 28 year old defender is coming off a disappointing season with the Tennessee Titans, one that ended in injury, but looks for a new start to revive his career in Cleveland.
Clowney will provide a spark to a defense that struggled at times in 2020, and also provide depth to a position that lacks it outside of star pass rusher Myles Garrett, who will line up opposite Clowney in most defensive situations.
Jadeveon Clowney’s biggest role will be to help provide pressure in the run game, something that he has excelled at his entire NFL career. While his sack numbers have never been that high, his pressure rate in pass rushing situations still ranks fairly high in comparison to other edge defenders.
Cleveland #Browns are signing Jadeveon Clowney to a 1-year deal for $8 million. Source says an additional $2 million in incentives will be available. Plan is to play Clowney opposite Myles Garrett. A salary restructure or release of Sheldon Richardson may be required.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) April 14, 2021
Defensive coordinator Joe Woods has to be pleased with the continued focus this offseason by general manager Andrew Berry and his staff on improving the defense, giving Woods players that will help him better run his defensive scheme and put the Browns in better chances to succeed and stop the opponents more often. For a team that struggled so much on defense in 2020, the additions already made this offseason, in addition to Clowney, should take their defensive ranking up a notch in 2021.
While Jadeveon Clowney’s deal is only for one year, much like the last few deals he’s signed with both the Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans in recent years, a good year opposite Garrett may allow him to actually prove himself to be worth a multi-year deal next offseason.
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Perhaps not being relied on as the number one edge rusher will help Clowney as he tries to find his footing and perhaps find a team to call home for the rest of his NFL career.