NY Jets should sign Jadeveon Clowney to a one-year contract

The NY Jets would be wise to offer a one-year contract to free-agent pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney.

The newest member of the NY Jets, Bradley McDougald, hinted on Twitter that free-agent pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney would be interested in joining the Jets.

McDougald and Clowney were teammates together on the Seattle Seahawks this past season and clearly remain friends despite the fact that they no longer play for the same team.

Or at least, they don’t currently play for the same team.

But could McDougald’s recruiting job pay-off and land Clowney in New York?

The Jets have been looking for an edge rusher than can consistently put pressure on the opposing quarterback for well over a decade. A player like this could command double teams which would free up space for the rest of the defensive line.

Additionally, a good pass rush makes the secondary’s job much easier because it lessens the time they have to spend covering opposing receivers. This past season, the Jets ranked just 23rd in total sacks. If that number goes up, the defense will likely be better this upcoming season.

Jadeveon Clowney was selected first overall in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. Clowney is a three-time pro-bowler and was voted as a second-team All-Pro in 2016.

Despite those accomplishments, Clowney has not lived up to his high expectations since entering the league. As the first overall pick in his draft, Clowney was expected to be a great player, not just a very good one.

Nonetheless, Clowney remains one of the best run-defending edge rushers in the NFL and has seemingly been underrated as a pass-rusher. Clowney had a combined 18.5 sacks from 2017 to 2018 and still earned an excellent 79.1 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus last year.

Don’t let the poor sack numbers from 2019 fool you, Clowney can rush the passer efficiently — much more efficiently than anyone currently on the Jets’ roster.

The NY Jets can take advantage of Jadeveon Clowney’s stagnant market.

Entering free agency, Clowney was seeking a long-term deal that would make him one of the league’s highest-paid pass rushers. Clowney is a very solid pass-rusher but not one of the league’s best, so no team has been willing to give him the money he originally sought.

Still, the Jets would be wise to sign Clowney to a one-year deal as opposed to a long-term deal. Obviously, a one-year deal wouldn’t affect the team’s salary cap after this season.

Additionally, playing on a one-year deal would give Clowney tons of motivation because he would be a free agent again after the season ends and would use this season to prove that he deserves a more lucrative contract next offseason

Having somebody as physically gifted and talented as Clowney playing with a gigantic chip on his shoulder could be a huge asset.

Even though Clowney hasn’t quite lived up to expectations as the first overall pick in the 2014 draft, he would be an immediate upgrade for Gang Green.

The Jets should pull the trigger and sign Clowney to a one-year deal.