Today the Browns officially announced that they have re-signed defensive end Jadeveon Clowney to a 1-year, $11M deal for the 2022 season. Myles Garrett's sidekick has returned!
In returning to the Browns he reportedly turned down offers in the $14-$15 million per year range from others teams that were multi-year offers.
The 8-year pro is coming off of a productive first season in Cleveland in 2021 when he recorded 9 sacks which was the most he has had since his last Pro Bowl season with Houston in 2018. He also had 11 tackles for a loss and 2 forced fumbles. Clowney was also able to stay healthy for most of the season playing in 14 of the 16 games. He had suffered injury issues the previous two seasons with Seattle and Tennessee.
Clowney's presence in 2021 also helped Garrett record a franchise record 16 sacks. Garrett had lobbied all off-season for the Browns to bring back his counterpart. The two have become close both on and off the field. Together they form one of the top pass rushing duos in the NFL.
The Clowney move was necessary given the fact that there is not a lot of experience at the position on the roster. The Browns traded for OLB/DE Chase Winovich from the Patriots. He will most likely be the 1st EDGE off the bench. They also signed veteran Stephen Weatherly who had 5 sacks in 2021 and drafted Alex Wright (3rd round) and Isaiah Thomas (7th round) in the 2022 NFL Draft. Bringing back Clowney will allow them to bring along Wright at a slower pace rather than thrust him into action immediately. Having Clowney back in the fold with Garrett gives the rookies Wright and Thomas two great talents to learn from as they develop at the NFL level.
The Browns will most likely look to address the interior of the line with the remaining free agent money they have left to spend.
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