Jadeveon Clowney re-signs with Browns for up to $11m

CLEVELAND — Jadeveon Clowney is leading it back with Myles Garrett and the Browns.

The free agent’s defensive end, who reignited his career last season with Cleveland, agreed on Sunday to re-sign with the team for 2022, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press.

Clowney, who had nine sacks against Garrett, will sign a one-year deal worth up to $11 million, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity, because the team didn’t announce the agreement.

The Browns had remained optimistic – and cautiously confident – about bringing Clowney back.

The 29-year-old and No. 1 overall winner of 2014 had his most sacks with Houston since 2018 when he played in 14 games for Cleveland last season. He signed a one-year, $10 million incentivized contract with the Browns last April.

Clowney’s presence forced offenses to put an extra blocker on his side at times, which in turn freed Garrett, who had a career-high 16 sacks in 2021 and was an All-Pro. Garrett also enjoyed playing with Clowney and had expressed hope that they could team up again.

In April, Garrett posted a photo to his Instagram page of him slapping hands with Clowney during a game last season, along with the caption, “Job not finished.”

Back with the Browns, Clowney will also be reunited with quarterback Deshaun Watson. They played together with the Texans for two seasons.

It makes sense that career-limited Clowney would return to the Browns. His pairing with Garrett not only gives the team two elite rushers, but the Browns know how to best use his strengths and when to give him time off to keep him sane.

Clowney has always been an intriguing talent with his unique blend of size and speed. Before signing with Cleveland, he was limited to eight games with Tennessee in 2020 due to a knee injury and surgery. After four years in Houston, he spent 2019 with Seattle.

Unsure about getting Clowney back, the Browns added some new lines of defense in the offseason, acquiring Chase Winovich in a trade from New England and Alex Wright (UAB) and Oklahoma teammates Isaiah Thomas and Perrion Winfrey, moved in.