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The Seattle Seahawks shook up everyone’s Saturday by agreeing to a blockbuster trade for New York Jets standout Jamal Adams, exchanging multiple first-round draft picks and starting safety Bradley McDougald. But New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is unimpressed by this latest move in the NFC arms race.
In fact, Thomas said he doesn’t want to see news reports blowing up his phone unless it has to do with his team signing Seahawks free agent Jadeveon Clowney. Seattle acquired the veteran pass rusher last offseason by swapping two players and a third-round draft pick with the Houston Texans; Clowney appeared in 15 games (including two postseason starts), notching 4.5 sacks and 16 quarterback hits. He also forced four fumbles, recovering two of them.
But Clowney hasn’t received much interest in free agency, and this move by the Seahawks might suggest a reunion is unlikely. Adams is going to demand a lucrative contract and Seattle doesn’t have the best salary cap situation as it is. Clowney’s only real reported interest has come from the Cleveland Browns, but he apparently wasn’t interested before they inked defensive end Myles Garrett to his own monster contract extension.
The Saints could fit Clowney under the salary cap on a one-year deal, but things get dicey given the uncertain state of the 2021 salary cap (which may fall to as low as $175 million). He’s done his best work as a situational pass rusher, and that would suit the Saints just fine given their bookends of Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport.
Clowney might not be able to hold up to a a full-time starter’s role, having racked up his lowest totals in regular season starts (11), sacks (3.0), solo tackles (21), and tackles for loss (7) since the 2015 season. The 605 defensive snaps he played last year were also his lowest since 2015.
Sure, he could bounce back at age 27. But the Saints probably shouldn’t move heaven and earth for someone trending downwards in so many areas, especially if he’s asking for a top-end salary. Or maybe Thomas will get his wish, and the Saints can find a way to add the three-time Pro Bowler just before training camp.
Clowney to New Orleans or I don’t want to hear it 🖤⚜️
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) July 25, 2020
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