Houston Texans, Jadeveon Clowney: Is a reunion possible?
The Houston Texans traded Jadeveon Clowney last offseason, but now that he’s an upcoming free agent, is there a possibility he returns to the franchise?
This past offseason, the Houston Texans traded edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney to the Seattle Seahawks for a third-round pick in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft, linebacker Barkevious Mingo and Jacob Martin.
When the Seahawks made the trade with the Texans, they said they wouldn’t franchise tag him, and now once the NFL season is complete, Clowney is free to play for whichever team he chooses and whichever team wants him as one of their edge rushers.
In ’19, Clowney had 31 tackles (21 solo) in 13 games played with three sacks, three passes defensed, one interception and one touchdown, taking the interception 27 yards for a score with the Seahawks. Clowney also forced three fumbles in ’19.
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In his ’18 season — Clowney’s last season with the Texans — he had 47 tackles (38 solo), with nine sacks and one pass defensed.
The issue isn’t whether Clowney can be a productive player in the NFL, but whether he and the Texans can mend all of their issues, and whether the Texans want to finally spend the money it takes to have a player like Clowney on their team.
The Texans never offered Clowney the value for a long-term deal he wanted, and the two parties never agreed on a contract extension. Clowney didn’t take part in training camp, and he was eventually traded.
Pro Football Focus graded Clowney at 87.3 overall this past season, which was slightly down from 89.5 in ’18 with the Texans.
Brandon Gustafson of MyNorthwest.com had a good thought in a recent article about Clowney, and it makes one wonder if the Texans would even give interest in Clowney:
"“Clowney could demand one of the highest salaries for a defensive player in NFL history …”"
Knowing what happened last offseason with the Texans and Clowney, and knowing some contracts will be coming up where lots of cash will most likely be spent (quarterback Deshaun Watson and left tackle Laremy Tunsil), will there be enough money to go around if the franchise even wanted Clowney?
As much as it would be nice for the Texans to add an edge rusher with the uncertain health of J.J. Watt, and seeing how the defense played without Clowney on the roster this past season, it all comes back to the contract of Clowney. For that reason alone, it is tough to lean in on believing the Texans would bring Clowney back into the fold.
Even with a new defensive coordinator in Anthony Weaver, it is still hard to get the belief Clowney will ever wear the Texans uniform. Though the addition of Clowney would make the defensive pass rush better, the time of Clowney and the Texans being on the same page is most likely over.
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What are your thoughts on a possible reunion of Clowney and the Texans? Is it something you’d like to see happen?