NFL free agency rumors: Jadeveon Clowney seeking $20M per year in next contract

Star defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is arguably the biggest name left in NFL free agency, and he's asking for a massive amount for his next contract.

Superstar free-agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is looking for a massive payday.

Dianna Russini of ESPN reported Clowney is seeking a contract that will pay him at least $20 million in annual average. However, Russini also reported teams in his market are not willing to go that high as of right now.

Sources say Jadeveon Clowney wants about $20mill per year. Interested teams aren’t coming up that high as of now. Look at the players in his position who were tagged, Judon, Dupree, Barrett, Yannick. Teams don’t want to pay $5mill more than the franchise tag.

— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 18, 2020

While Russini makes an interesting point in bringing up franchise tag margins, Clowney might have separated himself from that pack.

Barrett led the league in sacks last season, but it was an outlier year. Clowney, on the other hand, has been a consistent defensive playmaker over the course of his career.

Clowney only notched 3.0 sacks last season, but he also tallied four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns. He was even more dominant in the playoffs. Clowney had a sack and five tackles–including two tackles for a loss–during a Wild Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles before recording a half-sack and seven total tackles during an NFC Divisional Round loss the Green Bay Packers.

There are other market factors at play. While player receiving the franchise tag might be making closer to $15 million per season, the San Francisco 49ers reward defensive end, Arik Armstead, with a five-year, $85 million contract.

At the defensive tackle spot, the Indianapolis Colts traded for DeForest Buckner. They subsequently gave him a contract worth $21 million in annual average value, making him the third-highest paid defensive player (in terms of AAV) behind Chicago Bears end Khalil Mack and Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

But while Clowney might feel market demands suggest he is worth $20 million per year, there might not be a team out there willing to spend that much on an edge defender.