Jadeveon Clowney Linked to Browns Division Rival
With a few weeks until teams head to training camp, former Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is still without a team, which isn't out of the norm. What is a little surprising is some of the teams he's being linked, including the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The case for the Steelers is simply to improve their depth and provide them with options, especially with their sub packages. Clowney is a stout run defender despite the fact he's smaller than their base ends, which gives them a little more athleticism and range, both in run defense and rushing the passer.
The Steelers drafted Keeanu Benton and love his potential to play a true zero, but he's a rookie and that could present significant challenges. They have Larry Ogunjobji to play a base end, but he has the flexibility to kick inside and play a true zero if they choose. That would then enable them to put Clowney on the field while still having T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.
Beyond the financial considerations, Clowney has had major issues with the last two teams he's played. Most recently, that was the Browns who blamed them for his remarkably bad season. Before that, it was the Tennessee Titans, where he didn't play well and got hurt.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has had success with players with attitude issues in the past. The most notable is Antonio Brown, who was mostly functional during his stint with the Steelers, then quickly descended into madness the second he left. Now, he's out of the league entirely.
It still seems like a poor fit, however, just because of what Tomlin demands of his players. He wants guys who are willing to be part of a team. The Steelers did not hesitate in trading Melvin Ingram the moment he was not happy with the amount of snaps he was getting. Clowney would need to be on his best behavior in addition to being a role player.
The Arizona Cardinals need all the help they can get, but they may not be enthusiastically trying to win games. After all, they're going to be terrible regardless of what they do and have a sizable amount of draft assets in the 2024 draft, which includes multiple quarterbacks that are rated higher than every quarterback taken in April.
Clowney in Washington makes sense if they intend to move on from Chase Young. He could be a starter in that scenario. But unless the Commanders trade Young, he's better off going elsewhere in the DMV, playing for the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are intent on competing, are thin on the edge and need someone who can contribute in running situations. His versatility to kick inside could also be valuable.
Now, if the Ravens are the team that end up trading for Young, then Washington becomes a good spot for Clowney where he can immediately be inserted into the lineup across from Montez Sweat.
A decision for Jadeveon Clowney is likely coming in the next few weeks. It's possible he could wait and see if someone gets injured, it might increase his leverage. The problem is even as talented as Clowney still is, there aren't that many teams with money to spend on him and he hasn't helped himself with the way he's left his last two teams.
