Browns’ potential roster addition was folded, but it’s not the worst news for Cleveland
The Browns were interested in signing one of the top free agents available, but another team moved first. However, it may not be the worst thing for the Browns.
Interesting news broke earlier in the week around the possibility of Jadeveon Clowney returning to the Cleveland Browns for a second time in his NFL career.
It was a surprise the Browns were interested in bringing Clowney back at all. His two-year run with the team that ended after the 2022 season did not finish on good terms. Clowney was reportedly sent home before the final game of the season due to a fallout between him and the organization.
Clowney was productive for Cleveland in 2021 when he posted nine sacks in 14 games, but his production dropped to just two sacks in 12 games during the 2022 season. Since then, he has played for three different NFL teams. In 2025, Clowney bounced back with 8.5 sacks and 41 tackles for the Dallas Cowboys in 13 games.
Interest is all it’ll be for the Browns with Clowney.
Door is closed on Browns bringing in Jadeveon Clowney
The Browns won’t be signing Clowney after the 12-year veteran agreed to a 1-year deal with the Houston Texans, where he played his first five seasons. Though Clowney’s visit with Cleveland was surprising, the visit went well, and the door was expected to be open for a deal to come together in the next few weeks depending on where Clowney picked up interest elsewhere.
That deal is not happening now. Clowney heads back to Houston to give the Texans an even stronger defense alongside pass rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson.
Browns still searching for pass rush depth without Myles Garrett
With their interest in Clowney, the Browns are clearly still trying to add pass rush help to a group that no longer has Myles Garrett. Cleveland has Jared Verse as its top pass rusher after acquiring him from the Los Angeles Rams in the Garrett trade. After Verse, it’s Alex Wright and Isaiah McGuire. Both will play a ton for Cleveland opposite of Verse, but the Browns need a fourth pass rusher to emerge.
Behind those players, Cleveland has Julian Okwara and undrafted free agents Logan Fano and Tyreak Sapp. Those three are vying for fourth or fifth spots on the Browns’ roster past the top pass rushers.
Missing out on Clowney is not a major blow for Cleveland. No one expected a Clowney reunion to be a realistic possibility for the 2026 season, and him landing elsewhere is now reality. The Browns will look to other options to try and bring in more pass rush help before the regular season.
