There might be a reason why the Browns haven’t signed Jadeveon Clowney yet

The Cleveland Browns, Titans, and Seahawks might still be in the hunt for Jadeveon Clowney but why he’s still unsigned is perplexing.

The Cleveland Browns still need some help on the team as they race towards the start of the regular season. One of those positions is at left defensive end and subsequently the linebacker spots. A great way to address two holes is to move former Pro Bowler Olivier Vernon back to outside linebacker and sign Jadeveon Clowney. The move would be extremely useful and worst-case scenario Vernon, who many thought would have been cut by now, will finally meet that fate.

So with such a useful player still on the market, why is Clowney still unsigned? Sure the former Pro Bowler has had knee and back issues but nothing to shake a stick at, so why are the Browns, or anyone else, so hesitant to acquire him?

He had to come down in his asking price from $20 million to about $17 million a year since the start of the offseason. The Browns and others, allegedly, offered deals worth around $16 million. Surely $500k isn’t that much to haggle over at this point?

So what is holding the deal up?

Well, some of it has to do with being unable to bring him in for a pre-contract physical. Then there’s the constant string of nagging injuries that have some teams offering more team-friendly contracts or just staying away entirely.

That’s not all, however. His inconsistent play is also a big problem. Despite being in the league six years, and going to three Pro Bowls, Clowney has never had a double-digit sack season and actually only has 1.5 sacks more than Myles Garrett for their careers. Garrett only came into the league three seasons ago and has missed 11 games so far in his career.

According to John Clayton, the Browns were in the hunt for Clowney but may have now pulled back according to him. “I don’t think Cleveland is involved now. They might have been about a month ago, but not now,” Clayton told 710 ESPN. So why is Clowney now not an option for the Cleveland Browns?

Two names, Everson Griffen. While the market has cooled on talks for Griffen, he might be the reason the Browns have backed off of Clowney. Griffen is going into his 33rd birthday season and is coming off of four Pro Bowls in five seasons. Yes, Griffen is older than Clowney but he’s also more productive and Browns’ head coach Kevin Stefanski has worked with Griffen for Griffen’s entire career.

With rumors surrounding the Vikings of them looking to renegotiate some contracts to shed salary, the odds that the Vikings would wash away all the cap-space they’re trying to make just to re-sign Griffen isn’t prudent. Possible, sure, just not financially responsible.

Both Griffen and Clowney could sign any day so it’s just about being patient and hoping the Browns aren’t content with the adjustments they made this off-season and will still pursue one of the two ends.