CLEVELAND, Ohio -- For the first time in a long time, Jadeveon Clowney feels “ahead of the curve” going into an offseason.
“I ain’t got nothing to get fixed, no injuries,” the Browns defensive end said. “So I’m just trying to take care of myself and get ready for next year.”
On a one-year deal in Cleveland, Clowney has had a career resurgence of sorts in large part because he was relatively healthy, suiting up in 14 games for the Browns.
He turned in two more sacks on Sunday in the Browns’ 21-16 win over the Bengals, giving him nine for the year. That’s the most he’s had since the 2018 season, when he had nine with Houston. It’s also triple the amount he’s had over the last two seasons combined -- he had no sacks in 2020 with Tennessee and three in 2019 with Seattle.
Throughout his career, Clowney has been one of the unluckiest players in the league when it comes to the injury bug.
He’s played a full slate just once in his career with the Texans in 2017 (he did appear in 15 games the season after, it should be noted). His rookie season in 2014 ended after four games as he underwent microfracture surgery on his knee. With Seattle, he had a hip injury and was limited to just 13 games in 2019. After eight games with the Titans last season, he had season-ending surgery on his meniscus.
Clowney said he loves the game so much he was willing to play through nagging injuries; but as they piled up it took a mental toll on the former No. 1 draft pick.
“Injuries do some stuff to you, man,” Clowney said. “It’s really a mental thing more than anything -- just like, ‘How much do I got left?’ or, ‘How much more do I want to keep doing this, keep fighting just to get out there?’ Not necessarily playing at a high level, just to get out there. That’s what I did most of my career, just try to get to a place where I could get out there and compete. Not necessarily be all the way 100 (percent), just want to get out there and go. The older I get, the healthier I’ve been getting lately so hopefully it continues.”
This season, however, Clowney missed just one game due to injury: Week 5 against the Chargers when his knee flared up. He also missed the Raiders and Packers games in recent weeks after landing on the COVID-19 reserve list.
“It’s great,” Clowney said. “I’ve been smiling from ear to ear. I told them I’m happy to get through this year nothing wrong with me -- played well, had a great season. I wish I could’ve played all the games without COVID but it’s been a great year for me. I’m just happy to be in this place right now.”
The 29 year old is also happy knowing that he has options ahead of the 2022 season.
The defensive end’s one-year deal with the Browns was worth $8 million this season, but had the potential to reach $10 million with incentives. While he lost out on a $500,000 incentive since the Browns didn’t make the playoffs, he accumulated $750,000 of bonus money by notching nine sacks.
He’s a strong run defender and played well alongside Myles Garrett, who has been open about wanting Clowney back at the opposite starting defensive end spot. Garrett said earlier this week that he believes, despite all of Clowney’s injuries, that he has a lot more football left in him.
Clowney said it means a lot knowing Garrett, another former No. 1 overall pick, wants him back.
“I talk to him all the time,” he said. “I pick his brain. He picks mine. We feed off each other out there, so it’s a good thing.”
Of course, Clowney has been in the league long enough to know that unrestricted free agency has a lot of other factors. He and the Browns haven’t had any talks about his future while the season was ongoing, he said.
It would be possible that going forward he could command more money or a longer contract than the Browns are willing to provide. In that case, one possibility would be Cleveland plugging in another veteran on a similar one-year deal, or even finding a young defensive end in the draft.
Clowney said coming off a good year where he feels he played at a high level, he of course wants to be paid like it; however, money is still not the only factor.
“It is about money, but not about the most,” he said. “It’s about being comfortable in the right place, guys around you, all that comes into play when you decide where to go.”
While his landing spot next year isn’t for sure, what is for sure is how Clowney felt about this defense this year. Cleveland relinquished 16 or fewer points in four of its last seven games, and a max of 26 against the Steelers in Week 17.
The Browns really found a groove in the back half of the season, and he believes they have multiple playmakers on the defensive side of the ball.
All of that could, hypothetically, be appealing when choosing a team -- especially considering Clowney thinks the defense’s chemistry could be replicated in 2022.
“When you know there’s a lot of playmakers out here, it’s definitely a winning attitude as far as, shoot, we’re going to get off the field hopefully,” he said. “That’s what we’re thinking every time we step out there, a trail of three-and-outs. As long as everybody keeps that attitude on that defense, I think it will continue to be what it is. We fly around together.”
Get the latest Browns merchandise: Here’s where you can order Cleveland Browns gear online, including jerseys, T-shirts, hoodies, hats and much more.
More Browns coverage
Browns finish disappointing season with 21-16 win over Bengals to end 8-9
NFL playoff scenarios for Week 18 of the 2021 season
Browns beat Bengals: How social media reacted during Sunday’s season finale
Case Keenum solid: I wish he’d have played more this season – Terry Pluto
Jadeveon Clowney makes most of Browns’ season finale against Bengals
Browns close out the preseason, er, regular season with a win vs. Bengals: Scott Patsko
Watch Demetric Felton’s 10-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown in the 4th quarter vs. the Bengals
Ad Choices