Five words.
That’s all Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien needs to address trade rumors circulating around edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.
When asked on Wednesday at Houston Methodist Training Center if he was aware of the trade speculation, O’Brien gave a simple answer:
“No, not at all.”
Does he have anything to say about the rumors?
“Nope,” said O’Brien.
O’Brien remains mum about the prospects of Clowney being traded and can’t provide an update on when — or if — he’ll return.
“Again, we haven’t seen him since the end of the season, so I really don’t know [if Clowney will play for the Texans in 2019],” O’Brien said. “When he arrives, we’ll handle it when he arrives, but that’s his prerogative. He doesn’t have to be here right now.”
The Texans placed the franchise tag on Clowney in the offseason. The apparent thought process in doing so was to lock him up to a long-term contract. But that didn’t happen, and the July 15 deadline for a deal is in the rearview mirror.
Houston can’t force Clowney to come to training camp. Being that he hasn’t signed the franchise tag, they are unable to fine him. But O’Brien thinks he’ll be back at some point.
“At some point he’ll come in I believe, but that’s up to him,” said O’Brien.
Clowney holds significant leverage over the Texans. If he were to be traded, he’d have to sign the tag in approval of the destination, essentially meaning he has a no-trade clause.
The former No. 1 overall pick can’t sign a new contract until the 2019 season wraps up, no matter the team.
