After several months of reports, rumors, and speculation, the Jadeveon Clowney drama has been resolved, with the Tennessee Titans emerging as the big winners.
The Titans have reportedly snagged the biggest free agent left in the market after agreeing to a one-year $15 million deal with the defensive end, according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini. Clowney, the first overall pick by the Houston Texans in the 2014 NFL Draft, joins a Tennessee team that is coming off a surprising run to the AFC Championship Game. After spending most of the offseason re-signing the protagonists of that run, from quarterback Ryan Tannehill to running back Derrick Henry, the Titans finally made a big move, one that is meant to shore up their defense.
During the 2019 Playoffs, The Titans were able to beat teams such as the Tom Brady-led New England Patriots and the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens with MVP Lamar Jackson. But against eventual champions Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game, they struggled to contain quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who went on to become Super Bowl MVP. Mahomes’ ability to extend plays was a problem for the Titans, who were unable to use their four pass rushers to put pressure on the 24-year old, instead focusing on trying to disrupt the Chiefs' passing game. But it didn’t work, and Tennessee squandered an early lead on their way to a 35-24 loss.
The Titans hope to change that with the arrival of Clowney, a three-time Pro Bowler, who will be reunited with head coach Mike Vrabel. Vrabel previously worked with him when he was the Texans’ linebackers coach from 2014-2016 and defensive coordinator in 2017. That also happened to be Clowney’s best year in the league, when he had 9.5 sacks, 18 QB hits and 21 tackles for a loss. This ensures a relatively smooth transition for the defensive end, who hopes to join the team before they play their season opener on Monday Night Football on September 14. Tennessee hopes that the additions of Clowney and outside linebacker Vic Beasley, whom they acquired from the Atlanta Falcons, will give more teeth to their pass rush. The 28-year old Beasley had eight sacks and two forced fumbles for the Falcons in 2019.
The Titans know that in his only season in Seattle, the 27-year old Clowney had just three sacks, his lowest in a season since he was a rookie. However, he also had a career-best four forced fumbles and returned one of his two fumble recoveries for a touchdown. While Clowney didn’t tally as many sacks last season as he did during his time in Houston, he did win in 31.9% of his rushes in one-on-one situations, the fourth-highest mark in the league, according to a report by ESPN.
Aside from pressuring opposing quarterbacks, Clowney's versatility also allows him to defend the run, something which the Titans defense could also use. In the aforementioned ESPN report, Clowney has recorded 64 run stuffs, or tackles on run plays by opposing teams that result in in no gain or loss, in the last three seasons.
The Titans are out to prove that their run to the AFC Championship Game last season was no fluke, and they made sure to bring back most of the players responsible for that run. But with the addition of Clowney, they also made sure to improve their pass rush and run defense and have a player on their front seven who can make an immediate impact and change the complexion of the game.
Follow Us
Subscribe