It doesn’t seem like there’s an end in sight to the Jadeveon Clowney saga. The Texans have been looking to trade the former first overall pick, but he holds some leverage in trade negotiations because he needs to sign his franchise tender before he can be moved. Clowney was originally slated to report to the Texans after Week 3 of the preseason, but we heard earlier today Clowney changed his mind once he found out Houston was looking to deal him. 
Clowney has been telling people he’s willing to drag his holdout into the regular season, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, who has spoken to multiple sources around the star outside linebacker (Twitter link). In a follow-up tweet, Garafolo’s NFL Network colleague Ian Rapoport writes that he’s heard the same.
As Garafolo points out, he has no financial incentive to sit out games. The deadline has passed for franchise-tagged players to get extensions from their current teams, so he won’t be getting any more money from the Texans in 2019. In fact, he’ll be forfeiting about $1MM for each game he misses since he’s slated to earn $15.967MM under the tag in 2019.
Garafolo reports that Clowney is genuinely hurt by the Texans’ desire to trade him, and that they allowed him to meet with the Dolphins. Houston is clearly planning for life without Clowney, giving his backup Brennan Scarlett an extension earlier today. We’ll keep you updated as we hear more, but as of right now it looks like there’s a very good chance he isn’t on anyone’s active roster come Week 1.
Come to the Browns!
This guy is trouble…
That’s unfair. He has never done anything wrong. But I think teams are going to be cautious about giving monster contracts to guys who might not also be known as the hardest worker in the room. Leadership is required for top dollar.
Leveon Bell just got paid. I don’t think anything but talent matters anymore
Certainly can argue the merits of giving him that extension. But you’re right, the only thing he’s done wrong the last few seasons is jump offside too much. If the Texans don’t want him, by this point he should be free to see who does. Don’t blame Clowney at all for the circumstances right now.
The NFL is a mess!
Players are getting smarter. Don’t want to be used and abused anymore.
Used and abused? Isn’t he being paid quite well to do a job? Has he not been collecting a pay check while he’s been playing in the nfl? If he thinks he’s being used and abused, may I suggest that he quit and find a new career. Let us all know how that works out for him.
You can’t compare a professional athlete’s job to a normal job. It’s both unfair and unrealistic.
Exactly. Unfair to those with normal jobs.
When you can play football well enough to do what these pros can do, you can make the money they make too. Do you have a problem with other people in the entertainment industry like music and movie stars making millions of dollars?
Sorry you sucked at sports and it made you bitter
The NFL needs to get rid of this franchise tag crap. If you don’t have an extension in place by your final year is over you become a free agent just like any other sport. If I was Clowney everything I have put into this franchise I would want out the second I found out the franchise gave my back up an extension but won’t give me one.
Seems unfair to be sure. If the Texans don’t want to commit to him, they shouldn’t be allowed to hold his career hostage. Say what you want about him or what you think he’s worth, but he’s accrued the necessary time and he should be free to test the market. Unfortunately for him the NFLPA is to blame for accepting the franchise provision in the CBA. I don’t blame him for being pissed. Bill O’Brien is a clown. He’s not even going to recoup maximum value for Clowney. The time to trade him was before the extension deadline, and probably before the draft. No one’s going to pay as much in a trade when they can’t be guaranteed to have Clowney beyond this season.
Hold me “hostage” for $16 mil/year. Poor guy.
Nah, it’s doubtful you have his skill set. The franchise tag sucks for players.
Making the franchise tag 2 years could be an option. 1st yr matches the highest paid salary for the position, next year is 25% more. Youd see teams figure out a deal sooner.
You do know the back-up’s extension was for one year and $3.75 mil, right? I’m guessing it wouldn’t be a good idea for Clowney to use that as a justification for his own extension.
Willing to take off games? Why not, he does every year…
Clowney is a legend in his own mind. When not injured his level of play is inconsistent. It’s a shame that someone with his potential chooses to waste it.
How O’Brien is still employed is mind boggling.The Texans of course are a mind boggling team who always seem on the cusp and can’t get out of their own way.
The Texans should be studying the Astros to learn how a well organized front office operates.