Browns: Jadeveon Clowney tries to put toothpaste back in the tube
By Randy Gurzi
Jadeveon Clowney had a few parting shots before being sent home by the Cleveland Browns and is now trying to make things right with his former teammates
Just before their Week 18 finale, the Cleveland Browns had a bit of drama. Starting defensive end Jadeveon Clowney decided to unload on the coaching staff and one of his teammates.
Clowney claimed the staff was focused on getting Myles Garrett the premier matchups and was more focused on his potential to make the Hall of Fame in the future than actually winning games. He claims that’s why Garrett’s numbers far exceeded his as he had to take on the superior offensive linemen.
As expected, this went over like a lead balloon, and Clowney was sent home. With free agency pending, it also likely ended his tenure in Cleveland — although he said that was already 95 percent sure he wouldn’t return.
Now, roughly a week later, Clowney must have realized he did himself no favors not only with his former teammate but with potential employers as well. In an effort to do some damage control, Clowney issued a statement that he wanted to apologize to anyone offended but mostly to Garrett.
A statement from #Browns pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney, on the events of last week: pic.twitter.com/WWkrEpPy7E
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 13, 2023
Browns better off without Jadeveon Clowney
While the idea of apologizing was nice, Clowney still didn’t take full responsibility. In his release, he stated that his words were taken out of context and completely misrepresented.
That’s a bogus excuse when he not only named Garrett but also used his number — No. 95 — as his certainty for exiting. That was a calculated statement and a shot at Garrett.
It also shows he continues to pass the blame rather than aim to improve. Clowney, who had a career resurgence with the Browns in 2021, regressed this season. He had just 28 tackles and two sacks and there were reports he stayed out of the game on early downs, trying to only play in passing situations against Baltimore.
He’s also unaware that he’s not the premier player he was supposed to be when taken first overall in 2014. Instead, he’s much better in a secondary role, which is why he recorded nine sacks in 2021 after having none in 2020 with Tennessee and just three with Seattle in 2019.
As if his lack of awareness wasn’t enough, he’s also very unreliable. Clowney missed eight games in his two seasons with the Browns and 37 total in his career.
In the end, Cleveland would be best served moving forward. And we can say that with 100 percent certainty.
