Sep 24, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) is pressured by Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. (Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports)
Jadeveon Clowney may be on his way to the AFC East.
In search of a move out of Houston, the No. 1 overall pick from 2014 has met with the Dolphins, including head coach Brian Flores and members of the front office, in search of a potential fit, per the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
#Texans franchised pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney has met in person with #Dolphins coach Brian Flores and other members of the organization’s brass, sources say. There has been speculation that Miami is a possible landing spot.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 27, 2019
To add an extra wrinkle to the Clowney drama, it’s worth mentioning that Clowney has also fired his agent.
While Clowney appears most interested in going to the NFC (the Eagles and Seahawks are two teams frequently mentioned throughout this process), the report from Rapoport certainly checks out, as the Dolphins have been “very interested” in Clowney, according to the Houston Chronicle.
The 26-year-old Clowney would bring an added snarl to Flores’ defense in his first year on the Miami sidelines, and would undoubtedly help a Fins defense that recorded the fourth-fewest sacks in football a year ago.
According to reports, it’s believed that Clowney could be had for a second-round pick, as any team acquiring him would not be able to sign him to a long-term deal until 2020.
One thing complicating matters with Jadeveon Clowney is that a team trading for him, by rule, can't sign him to a long-term deal til January. A second franchise tag is the only control they'd have.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 27, 2019
His tender for 2019 is $15.967M. So tagging him in '20 would cost $19.160M.
Clowney, who had a career-high 59 tackles and 9.5 sacks during the 2017 season, has 17 tackles and four sacks in four career games against the Patriots.