Jets on Verge of Signing 3-Time Pro Bowler, Competition Heating Up

On the football field, the New York Jets are about to add another elite player to their defensive line. “After Jadeveon Clowney’s visit with the Jets, he and the organization have remained in constant contact,” said Bleacher Report NFL Insider Jordan Schultz on social media. “One source describes New York as ‘highly motivated’ to try and secure a deal with Clowney.”

Expanding Market for Clowney’s Services

The Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers are two additional NFL teams that Schultz mentioned are still in the running. “Since Bryce Huff left for Philadelphia, the Jets have been looking for a pass rusher,” Schultz said on X earlier on Twitter. They have a strong affinity for Jadeveon Clowney and were Shaq Barrett supporters all the way through. However, there is competition.

Barrett disclosed this week how close he was to completing a contract with the Jets in a radio appearance. In the end, the Miami Dolphins made a last-minute move to take him away from the green and white.

Clowney appears to be the kind of pass rush prospect that New York is desperately looking for. The former number one overall pick is coming off of his best-ever season of 9.5 sacks in a single year.

This past week, Clowney paid Gang Green a visit as a free agent. The two parties had a “great” meeting, according to ESPN radio anchor Jake Asman.

The Price for Clowney Won’t Be Cheap for the Jets in Free Agency

If the Jets really want to add Clowney it’s going to cost them a pretty penny. The other player they were targeting on the open market, Barrett, signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins that has a maximum value of $9 million, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus reports that Clowney is anticipated to agree to a comparable deal.

According to PFF forecasts, the former South Carolina standout will get a $9 million, one-year contract with a guaranteed $8 million. With Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald setting things up for him and using simulated pressures and unique blitzes on many fronts, Cloney had a career-year. Spielberger said, “It looks like Clowney will likely spend the remainder of his career on consecutive one-year contracts that change depending on his performance the year before. He definitely earned himself a raise this season. “He had his highest pressure rate, highest pass-rush win rate, and most total pressures in a season with the Ravens in 2023.”

Clowney agreed to a one-year contract last year for a meager $2.5 million. With Clowney erupting in their system, the Ravens received the most value for their investment. In terms of the contract structure, the Jets won’t be as fortunate. Should New York truly be as committed to Barrett as it seems, they ought to have no trouble providing the funds. 59 sacks have been recorded by Barrett since he joined the team in 2015. With 52.5 career sacks, Clowney, who entered the NFL a year earlier, is just behind him.

The Jets’ loss of Huff, who had just finished a 10-sack season, was much discussed. It wouldn’t be a bad consolation if New York could acquire a player who had half a sack fewer than that for a quarter of the cost.