There are three things that talk when it comes to NFL free agency: Money, location, and a chance to compete for Super Bowl titles. In many ways, the NFL and NBA are alike in that way, as Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is finding out.
Last week, the Browns had a surprising visitor to training camp in Berea: DE Jadeveon Clowney. Many were shocked that Clowney and Cleveland were even on speaking terms after his comments about the team and DE Myles Garrett when he departed in 2022.
Clowney has had
a bit of a resurgence as a pass rusher, which would have helped offset the loss of Garrett after he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. Clowney has compiled 24.5 sacks in the three seasons since leaving the Browns, but decided on Sunday that a reunion in Cleveland was not as tempting as a reunion with the Houston Texans, the team that selected him first overall in the 2014 NFL draft:
Terms of the deal have not been released yet, so we don’t know if finances were one of the reasons Clowney chose the Texans over the Browns. While Clowney is a South Carolina native, it is possible he didn’t want to move out of Texas after playing last season with the Dallas Cowboys. Four straight seasons of moving significant distances for his new teams could have played a role in his free agency decision.
Houston’s playoff hopes, after making the postseason the last three seasons, likely played a role in his decision.
Did you want Clowney to return to the Browns, or do you think they should focus on developing their own talent? Do you think Cleveland got used by Clowney’s agent and that is why he visited last week?
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