The multi-year dalliance between Jadeveon Clowney and the Cleveland Browns has at last delivered something unmistakable.
The Browns are signing Clowney to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport revealed Wednesday. Cleveland later declared the move. The signing followed a passed physical for Clowney, whose 2020 season ended prematurely because of a knee injury.
The signing of Clowney carries a resolution to what exactly has been a flirtation of sorts between the edge rusher and the Browns that dates back to last offseason. Cleveland was as often as frequently mentioned as being in the running for Clowney in 2020, in any case couldn’t reach an agreement with the free-agent defensive end, who wound up marking with the Titans.
The 2020 campaign spent in Tennessee end up being a lost one for Clowney, who again hit the market with an essentially lower value in 2021.
Following quite a while of rumblings involving the Browns and Clowney, the two finally came to an agreement Wednesday.
“It meant a lot, man,” Clowney said Wednesday of Cleveland’s pursuit. “It means you’re wanted by somebody. You can tell that [if] somebody really wants you, they’re gonna use you the right way, so that was another big part of me making my decision. They wanted me and when you’re wanted by somebody, you can’t just turn it down like a relationship.”
At the point when the Browns hit the offseason following a shocking Divisional Round loss to Kansas City, the No. 1 target was obvious: Cleveland required a superior guard in 2021. The addition of Clowney is the most recent in a progression of moves made by head supervisor Andrew Berry to accomplish such an objective, joining any semblance of wellbeing John Johnson, cornerback Troy Hill, linebacker Anthony Walker, defensive tackle Malik Jackson and defensive end Takkarist McKinley as new increments.
Clowney will combine with fellow former No. 1 in general pick Myles Garrett as tandem edge rushers in Cleveland’s 4-3 scheme, giving the Browns the scenario they imagined when they first pursued Clowney last offseason. It ought to likewise give Cleveland a defensive boost it sorely lacked in 2020, a season in which the Browns completed 21st in focuses permitted per game, yet still figured out how to complete 11-5 and record the franchise’s first playoff win since the 1994 season.
“Them guys, they’re hungry, I can tell you that, they’re very hungry and they feel like they’re on a winning team, too. So, that’s why I jumped on board, trying to get on that winning team,” Clowney said of his new team. “I don’t think Cleveland is like people think they used to be so I’m looking forward to this season and playing with a great group of guys and getting after guys.”
The greatest question mark with Clowney is, obviously, his wellbeing, as he’s attempted to stay accessible in four of his seven expert seasons because of different wounds. Clowney told journalists he believe he has something to demonstrate in Cleveland as a result of his physical issue history.
“I just want to show that I’m still an elite player, more by proving myself than anything, to prove to other people I’m still out here and can dominate,” Clowney said. “So, we’re gonna see this season.”
When completely accessible, Clowney has demonstrated to be a difference-maker off the edge, reaching three straight Pro Bowls in Houston from 2016-2018 and giving the Seahawks a shock protectively in 2019 of every 13 games (11 beginnings). Clowney essentially should be more reliable in both accessibility and profitability – he abandoned a sack in eight games in Tennessee last season in spite of playing more than 400 snaps – to arrive at his maximum potential.
He’ll get a decent shot at doing as such while playing on a similar line as the twofold team commanding Garrett this season.