The Baltimore Ravens were last-minute surprise contenders for free-agent outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney. The Ravens made a late push for the Pro Bowl outside linebacker but he ended up signing a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans instead.
However, it looks like Baltimore’s chances were even better than anyone initially realized. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Clowney wanted to go to the Ravens but Baltimore was only lukewarm.
Outside linebacker was one of the Ravens’ biggest weak spots last season. Matthew Judon had a solid season, just falling short of 10 sacks and earning the team’s franchise tag this offseason. But Baltimore couldn’t get consistent play out of anyone opposite him. Yet despite the issues they had at outside linebacker last year, the Ravens didn’t do anything to address the position in free agency or the 2020 NFL Draft.
While Clowney has never really been known for huge sack totals, he would have been an immediate upgrade over the likes of Tyus Bowser and Jaylon Ferguson. Clowney had a relatively down year in 2019, his first and only with the Seattle Seahawks. He had just three sacks and 13 quarterback hits over 13 games but found the end zone twice on fumble and interception returns for touchdowns.
It’s unclear why Baltimore was lukewarm on Clowney while still having some interest in signing him. But with limited salary cap space and Clowney earning a maximum of $15 million from the Titans, he might have been a little too rich for the Ravens’ tastes.
