The highest-profile non-quarterback free agent left on the market, Jadeveon Clowney remains in a holding pattern of sorts. The impact edge defender has been connected most closely to the Seahawks since becoming a free agent, but one of his original suitors engaged in discussions with him.
Linked to being prepared to make a strong offer for Clowney at free agency’s outset, the Titans have communicated with the former No. 1 overall pick, GM Jon Robinson confirmed Wednesday.
“We have touched based with Clowney’s representation,” Robinson said. “… Just trying to navigate and work through where that one might be.”
Clowney has gone from being a candidate to approach the Khalil Mack/$23MM-per-year pay range to hoping for $20MM annually — even on a one-year deal — to being favored to return to Seattle. But 11 days after a report indicated Clowney and the Seahawks were nearing a deal, he remains a free agent.
The Titans quickly added former Falcons first-rounder Vic Beasley, and the five-year veteran stands to team with Harold Landry on the edge in Tennessee. Clowney has been more consistent than Beasley, the latter’s 2016 All-Pro nod notwithstanding, but this coronavirus-altered offseason has likely affected his stock. Clowney has dealt with injuries for much of his career, though he is believed to be healthy now.
The former South Carolina phenom may now have better fits outside of Tennessee. Mike Vrabel, however, coached Clowney for four seasons in Houston. So, the Titans probably should not be discounted in this unusually paced race. Even with Derrick Henry‘s $10.3MM franchise tag factored into the equation, the Titans do still have more than $23MM in cap space.
Hawks are blowing this one
No way he is worth $20 million. One sack in college made him famous. He has talent but not generational. He parlayed that sack into a huge payday.
He was the #1 recruit out of High School, he certainly was not “just one sack.”
I don’t see how they are blowing it. I know Clowney brought his price down but even still, he over estimates his market & frankly the data doesn’t support his demands. He gets a ton of QB pressures, more than most, but the DL for Seattle actually got more sacks without Clowney in the lineup. So he has not the consistent force he needs to be in order to warrant such a big payday. IMO, if he goes he goes. I’d rather see Seattle bring in Mike Bennett & Everson Griffen, then get a young piece in the early rounds of the draft.
Best route to building a winner is through the draft. Not a fan of Clowney. He had a loaded D-line in Houston and didn’t impress me. BTW, wasn’t he considered a bust in his earlier years? I know he had some injuries but I also thought most people thought he wasn’t worth the No. 1 pick in the draft.
This is a trap. He won’t be happy getting less money. The effort won’t be there and he will not play through injuries. There is a track record with this guy. He ain’t changing because you give him money. He hasn’t even been very productive when he has been healthy. Honestly, these teams would be better off signing Markus Golden for a fraction of the cost. They’d at least get a guy who will play with heart.
My hope is that Clowney signs for less than the $20mil he’s hoping for. If that happens, the price for Ngakoue drops which should allow my Eagles to pick up a coveted edge rusher who wants to play for the Birds.
Fly Eagles Fly!!