Texans DE Jadeveon Clowney Generating Trade Interest

This has caused teams to look into Clowney, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicating the veteran EDGE has generated trade interest. Clowney, 33, is on a $2.5MM base salary. With nearly half the season elapsed, a team would be responsible for about half of that payment. That would not be an issue for most clubs, but it is still worth wondering if the Texans will sell.

The team already traded a second-round pick for Marvin Harrison Jr., before winning two straight games. A loss to the J.J. McCarthy-piloted Giants pumped the brakes on the Texans becoming the second team in NFL history to reach the playoffs after an 0-4 start, and the team has an uphill battle to reach the playoffs. The Ravens losing Lamar Jackson — perhaps for the season — should help the Texans in the wild-card race, but they still have a lot of work to do.

Through seven games, Clowney has logged a career-low 37% snap rate. He is working as a rotational rusher behind Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. The three-time Pro Bowler has 1.5 sacks and four QB hits this season. He was more productive in Dallas, registering 8.5 sacks last season. He also recorded 9.5 with the Ravens in 2023.

The Browns (5-3) pursued Clowney in free agency; so did the Seahawks (4-3). Cleveland has been mentioned as a team in the pass rush market, per SI.com’s Albert Breer, who describes Todd Monken’s team as seeking a “designated pass rusher.” Clowney, who worked as Myles Garrett’s sidekick from 2021-22, fits that job description well at this stage of his career. It is worth wondering if the Browns have circled back to Clowney — whom they “strongly considered” in the offseason — now that they are one of the more unexpected deadline buyers in recent NFL history.

The veteran D-lineman had hoped to re-sign with the Cowboys (3-5) this offseason. Dallas interest did not rival Houston’s, however, leading to the reunion. We heard in July four teams were interested. It stands to reason some of those are monitoring the Texans backup before the deadline, as either another Clowney reunion could take place or the ex-South Carolina phenom could trek to an eighth team. The Texans will probably wait until after Week 9 to make any potential seller’s trades, as a 3-5 record could dissuade the AFC South team from selling given its roster talent.