Jadeveon Clowney (99). Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Jadeveon Clowney meeting with Browns pushed to Wednesday

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Apr 12, 2021 3:55 PM ET

Reports surfaced earlier that Jadeveon Clowney, the first overall selection of the 2014 NFL Draft, could put pen to paper on a deal with the Cleveland Browns before Monday's business hours finished.

That is no longer the case but not because the two parties couldn't come to terms on an agreement. NFL insider Josina Anderson tweeted that travel issues prevented the edge-rusher from making it to Cleveland on Monday, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport added the two sides are now expected to meet Wednesday. That meeting will likely include Clowney having a physical:

My understanding is there was a travel issue on the #Browns arranged second visit/ physical with FA edge-rusher Jadeveon Clowney for Monday. Was expected to arrive late Sunday. There's hope to finalize a new booking soon, potentially midweek, at this time, per sources.
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) April 12, 2021

Free agent pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney is set to fly to Cleveland on Tuesday night and visit with the #Browns on Wednesday, source said. His 2nd visit to the team. Nothing immiment right now, but the two sides have maintained contact and share mutual interest.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 12, 2021

Clowney met with the Browns last month early into the free-agency process but left without a deal. Last season, the 28-year-old was limited to eight games with the Tennessee Titans before he landed on injured reserve with a torn meniscus. He recorded zero sacks, 19 total tackles, four pass breakups, a forced fumble, and six quarterback hits on the campaign.

Also last month, the Browns acquired pass-rusher Takkarist McKinley to play opposite All-Pro Myles Garrett on the defensive line via a one-year "prove it" deal. As Pro Football Focus noted, Clowney is more known as a run-stopper these days.

"Since entering the league, Clowney is a 95th percentile run defender and a 77th percentile pass-rusher, so his future team should expect similar snap-to-snap production at this point," PFF explains.

The Browns, or any other team, could add "void years" to Clowney's contract to extend salary-cap hits beyond 2020, if necessary.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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