Browns re-sign Jadeveon Clowney

   The Cleveland Browns had been rumored to have a contract agreed in principle for a while with defensive end Jadeveon Clowney that would enable his return to Cleveland but this is professional sports and until a deal is finished and announced, one never places it in the accomplished pile (Carlos Boozer, anyone?) 

Finally, the Browns and Clowney were able to place minds at ease with the announcement of Clowney signing a one-year agreement that is worth up to eleven million dollars with incentives.

The 6'5 260 pound Clowney will resume his place as a starting defensive end opposite Myles Garrett in an arrangement that both players profited from last season, Clowney's first as a Brown.

Clowney finished the 2021 season with nine sacks and did so as a plus run defender that kept him on the field as a three-down lineman rather than a specialist or a rotational piece.

Clowney also managed to stay healthier than in the recent past, playing in fourteen games, which was the highest total for the former South Carolina Gamecock since 2018.

On their own, Clowney's numbers aren't eye-popping but Clowney's presence has real benefits for Myles Garrett on the pass rush and can make up for any deficiencies up the middle from a defensive tackle rotation that lacks a proven interior pass rusher.

Adding Clowney may have been expected to occur and allows the Browns not to have to reach out for a veteran that may have questions entering the free agent market to start opposite Garrett but they still have needs along the defensive line- particularly at defensive tackle.

The Browns have been rumored to possibly preparing an offer for former Brown Larry Ogunjobi, who had an excellent season last season for Cincinnati with seven sacks,and signed a lucrative contract with the Bears before failing the physical due to a foot injury that Ogunjobi suffered in the playoffs with the Bengals.

Cleveland has also been mentioned in connection to Ndamukong Suh as an addition to their defensive tackle rotation.

At almost 35, Ndamukong Suh isn't the interior force that he was in his prime but still by reducing his snap count, Tampa Bay received six sacks and seven tackles for loss from the five-time Pro Bowler.

Cleveland has been linked to Akeem Hicks, who had three and a half sacks in nine games for Chicago last season.

Hicks is more of a rotational player that can get the interior pass rush going than a full-time tackle but depending on the price, could be a helpful player for the Browns.

The Browns still need a defensive tackle and a veteran wide receiver in the worst way but keeping Jadeveon Clowney around addressed one of the Browns' three largest needs following the draft and to do so at a fair price is an added bonus for a team that still needs a few players to complete their shopping list