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Jadeveon Clowney could be with a team a very soon. I’m told the Tennessee Titans and the New Orleans Saints are both making strong pushes to sign the free agent. Both teams want him on the field by Monday and are making their pitches.
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) September 3, 2020
The New Orleans Saints are making a last-minute run at one of the top free agents still available, per ESPN’s Dianna Russini. Russini reports that the Saints and Tennessee Titans are each trying to lock down pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney near the end of training camp, looking to add a blue chip talent that just might be the missing piece of their Super Bowl puzzle.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero characterized the Saints’ recent interest in Clowney as “an all out blitz” including conversations with Sean Payton, but noted that several other teams are in on his sweepstakes.
Clowney played for the Seattle Seahawks in 2019 after they acquired him in a trade from the Houston Texans, who drafted him first overall back in 2014. Seattle was unable to reach an agreement with Clowney on a contract extension and he turned down a $15 million per-year offer from the Cleveland Browns, so it’s unclear just how high he’s expecting his 2020 salary to climb.
Landing Clowney would beef up a Saints pass rush rotation that became a strength of the team last year, allowing them to platoon a solid mix of veteran players including Clowney, Cameron Jordan, and Mario Edwards Jr. with an ascending group of youngsters like Marcus Davenport, Trey Hendrickson, and Carl Granderson. But bagging Clowney won’t be easy, especially if the Saints are still determined to extend Alvin Kamara’s contract before the start of the season. Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops.
The #Saints are sending an all-out blitz to try to sign Jadeveon Clowney, who has spoken multiple times to coach Sean Payton, sources tell me and @RapSheet. At least two other teams still involved as Clowney's extended free-agent saga nears a close.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 3, 2020
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