Seattle Seahawks edge defender Jadeveon Clowney provided more insight as to what his original plans were for the 2019 season.
After the NFC West club’s 37-30 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football, Clowney told Michael Silver of NFL.com that he intended to play the 2019 season with the Houston Texans, not be traded away or even ask for more money.
“People say, ‘He was trying to leave.’ That’s a lie. I didn’t ask them to trade me. I didn’t even ask them to pay me any more. I just wanted to play one last year with my teammates. But hey, it’s part of the business. It was a business move, and I got the short end of the stick at the time. Now? It looks like I got the big end of the stick.”
The Seahawks are 10-2 on the season and the No. 2 seed in the NFC, ensuring they will get a first-round bye.
According to Clowney, Texans coach Bill O’Brien called him numerous times over the offseason, and Clowney explained each time that he would come in and sign his franchise tag but not until the advent of the regular season. The three-time Pro Bowler, who also missed the club’s offseason workouts, wasn’t going to risk his health in training camp or preseason when he wasn’t under contract.
“I love Houston, and I love my dudes, but I wasn’t under contract, so I wasn’t going to take the risk,” said Clowney.
In August, according to Clowney, O’Brien called in Clowney to team facilities to talk about a potential sign-and-trade. O’Brien was selling Clowney on the notion of playing for the Miami Dolphins.
Said Clowney: “They said, ‘It’ll be good for you and good for us.’ I’m like, ‘Good for me? They’re gonna tank the season for a damn quarterback! Find me a team that can win, and I’ll sign the damn tender.’
On Aug. 31, the Texans found Clowney that team in the Seahawks.
If Clowney would have stayed in Houston, he would given them security on the outside as they would have a marquee edge defender with J.J. Watt done for the season with a torn pectoral. However, the Texans are in a great place themselves with an 8-4 record, first place in the AFC South, and coming off of a 28-22 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football.