The Browns have done it, they’ve signed a major name to play defensive end for the 2021 season. After chasing a pair of Texans defensive ends in Jadeveon Clowney throughout 2020, and J.J. Watt in 2021, Cleveland has finally acquired one in Clowney. According to Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns have signed Clowney to a one-year deal, worth about $10 million.
A number that’s way too high.
Clowney's 1-year with the #Browns is worth somewhere in the $10 million-a-year range, source tell clevelanddotcom
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) April 14, 2021
Clowney instantly upgrades the run defense, being able to secure the edge and keep running backs in the middle of the field will be a great asset but there are concerns with Clowney’s game. Despite being the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Clowney has never turned into the pass rusher many expected him to be coming out of college.
Now he’ll have an opportunity to play alongside Myles Garrett in a hope that playing next to him will improve Clowney’s stats. It didn’t really work when Clowney played next to Watt, but maybe the defensive schemes in Cleveland will help Clowney out.
The move may affect what the Browns intend on doing in the NFL Draft and trade markets. With Clowney signing for more than most fans were expecting him to, the Browns may need to make some cuts or trades to be able to keep their flexibility. Not only that, but the Browns may still be looking to sign another few players in free agency, even if for smaller deals.
The largest impact Clowney has on Cleveland in the immediate are now their plans for the NFL Draft. With Clowney coming in, he joins Garrett, Takk McKinely, and Porter Gustin as the primary defensive ends. Will the Browns still pursue a defensive end in the draft now that the Browns have acquired the multi-time Pro Bowler?
That’s just one of the many questions the Browns have to answer.
Update:
Camryn Justice is reporting that the deal is worth a total of $10 million, but only $8 of it is base salary while another $2 million is incentives, making the cap number more manageable but still higher than many were hoping.
Deal is reportedly worth $8 million with another $2 million in incentives.
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) April 14, 2021
There are also rumors that Sheldon Richardson could have his deal restructured or be cut outright due to the deal.