While the Jets now have the flexibility to add a premium pass-rusher like Jadeveon Clowney, they were never seriously interested in him in the first place, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
New York recouped $11 million in salary relief after officially releasing Trumaine Johnson, who had a post-June 1 designation. Now, that it’s June, the Jets may have a chance to make a late splash, but it won’t be for someone like Clowney. As Cimini mentions, the Jets’ stance on the pass-rusher hasn’t changed, even with more money in the organization’s pocket.
Regardless of his dropping price-tag, Clowney wouldn’t fit the mold of free agents that Joe Douglas has targeted this offseason. The Jets general manager isn’t one to hand out big contracts to big-ticket free agents. At the same time, Clowney’s recent lack of production and durability concerns point to why he’s still on the open market.
After being shipped from Houston to Seatle in a contract year, Clowney fared rather poorly, recording 31 total tackles, three sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception in 13 games.
While Clowney is viewed as one of the prominent pass-rushers in the NFL, it’s more to do with his former draft slot than production. The former No. 1 overall pick out of the University of South Carolina has never had a double-digit sack season, which coincides with Clowney only playing one full 16-game season in six years in the NFL.
The Jets now have the cap room to plug roster holes, but don’t expect them to do so with Clowney.