Jadeveon Clowney, the agent’s free passenger, signed a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns, it was announced Wednesday.
The deal is worth up to $ 10 million, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Clowney will have the opportunity to develop by playing with the former colleague of the former no. 1, Myles Garrett.
“We are excited to add Jadeveon to our defensive line,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said in a statement. He is a disruptive force that will help us against running and crossing. We’ve been able to make some nice additions to our defense throughout the free agency and look forward to getting to work so we can improve our team. “
Clowney, 28, visited the Browns last month, sources told ESPN, but left Cleveland without a deal. General manager Andrew Berry watched him hard last season to mate with Garrett, but three times Pro Bowler reportedly turned down Cleveland’s multi-year contract offer and finally signed a one-year deal. $ 13 million with the Tennessee Titans.
Clowney battled Tennessee in 2020, finishing with 19 tackles and zero sacks in eight games before suffering a knee injury at the end of the season in November. He underwent surgery in December and is expected to be in good health for the start of the 2021 season.
In the last three seasons, Clowney has ranked fifth in the NFL, with a fast winning rate of 25%, according to ESPN Stats & Info. During this period, Garrett ranks third with 26%.
“We like his relentless style of play,” Berry said in a statement. “He is one of the most disturbing players in the game and we believe that he will add an element of resistance along our defensive line and will pair nicely with many of the boys we already have on the list. The other thing we love about Jadeveon is its versatility, its ability to play on the whole front and to influence the game regardless of its alignment. “
Cleveland has already bolstered its free agency transition last month by signing Takk McKinley to a one-year deal. McKinley battled injuries last season, but finished seventh in the 2018 earnings rate, one behind Clowney and four behind Garrett that season.
General selection no. 1 from the Houston Texans in 2014, Clowney can play any position along the defensive front, which makes him valuable for teams that want the versatility of the scheme. He is a disruptive player as an inside passenger or coming off the sidelines.
Clowney has 255 tackles (75 for a loss), 86 defender shots and 32 sacks in his seven seasons. Throughout his career, he suffered various injuries to his knees, in addition to groin injuries, elbow, back and Lisfranc.
The Browns now have three of their last seven No. 1 overall draft picks on their roster, including quarterback Baker Mayfield.
ESPN’s Jake Trotter and Turron Davenport contributed to this report.