19 August 2023 , 19:44
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Jadeveon Clowney has signed with the Baltimore Ravens after claiming his situation at the Cleveland Browns last season was ‘bull****’.
Clowney, the first-overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, hasn’t lived up to the billing when the Houston Texans moved for him nine years ago. In fact, he has not registered 10 sacks in any of his nine NFL seasons.
The Texans parted ways with Clowney in 2019 after getting three successive Pro Bowl seasons from the defensive end. Since then, he has suited up for the Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans and Browns before signing with the Ravens.
Clowney decided to head to Maryland for the 2023 season, inking a one-year deal worth up to $6 million (£4.7m). While he is something of a one-year mercenary these days, Clowney provides an inexpensive option at a position that can affect the game with high-level play when healthy.
Across his nine-year career, Clowney’s production has yielded three Pro Bowls and one selection to the NFL’s All-Pro Second Team. However, he can also be disruptive — and not in a good way. Back in January, Clowney was sent home from practice by the Browns after he insisted he won’t sign a new contract with the franchise.
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Clowney endured a quiet 2022 season despite playing opposite dominant defensive end Myles Garrett. Clowney tallied 2.0 sacks - far less production than his 9.0 sacks in 2021 - and accused the Browns of switching him and Garrett to give the latter more favourable matchups. Garrett put up 16 sacks in 2022 and was in the mix for AP Defensive Player of the Year.
Jadeveon Clowney will team up with quarterback Lamar Jackson on the Baltimore Ravens for the 2023 NFL season (AP)Clowney ultimately said the switching with Garrett was the last straw, ending his two-year stay in Cleveland under acrimonious circumstances. Speaking to Cleveland.com, the outside linebacker said: “I don’t even think (Garrett) notices. I ain’t trying to say it’s him. I try to get along with everybody I play with. Me and him don’t have a problem.
“It ain’t his fault. It’s just B.S., and I don’t have time for it.”
Following his inflammatory comments, Clowney was sent home by the Browns from practice. He entered free agency at the conclusion of the season, but only just found a new home in Baltimore - rivals of the Browns in the competitive AFC North.
In 2021, Garrett tallied 16 sacks while Clowney bagged 9.0 himself - the second-most in his career. Garrett then labelled the pair the "best pass-rush duo in the NFL" and reportedly urged the Browns to bring Clowney back in the offseason, with the franchise following suit.