We are less than three weeks away from free agents officially signing with new teams, and the biggest story surrounding the Seattle Seahawks revolves around defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the end of the 2019 season, Clowney told Josina Anderson of ESPN that he would definitely like to return to Seattle, but he’s open to new opportunities as well.
That’s not exactly a groundbreaking statement, as it more or less echos all his previous sentiments. It’s perhaps notable that Clowney did not mention his desire to play for a winning team, something he strongly emphasized in his final press conference with the Seahawks after the team’s loss to the Packers.
“I just want to win. I’m trying to get to a Super Bowl, by any means,” Clowney said. “That’s what I’m looking for. Who gonna get me there? I ain’t looking to get on no sorry team for no money. That ain’t gonna fly. I ain’t gonna put my body through all that just to lose 16 games and go home with my check. I hate that. That ain’t what I’m doing.”
It sure sounds like Clowney and the Seahawks are a good fit, as the team has more cap space than usual and a winning pedigree. Plus, both coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider made it clear at the combine they would like to have the imposing defensive end back in the green and blue next year.
However, Anderson reported that two teams – the Giants and the Colts – are teams that may have interest in signing Clowney this offseason.
Neither team qualifies as winning, with the Giants going 4-12 last year and the Colts 7-9, but they each have exorbitant amounts of cap space and are thirsty to get back into the playoff picture, making Clowney a logical fit.
The Seahawks currently have the 17th most cap space in the league, and the expected release of tight end Ed Dickson as well as the potential release of Justin Britt would clear up more room to make a push for Clowney.
Clowney has not shut the door on a return to Seattle, in fact he’s made it clear he’d like to stay – but he’s also going to field plenty of calls this offseason, and it’s pretty clear the price is going to be a big factor in where the former first overall pick spends the 2020 campaign.
