Free agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has told Tennessee Titans officials he plans to sign with them and is expected to travel to Nashville soon, sources told ESPN’s Dianna Russini.
Clowney reunites with Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, who served as their post coach and defensive coordinator when the two were with the Houston Texans.
The seventh-year veteran had his best season in 2017, when he played in Vrabel’s plan for the Texans. Clowney has posted career highs in sacks (9.5), tackles for loss (21) and QB hits (21) this season.
In addition to Vrabel, Clowney played for the Titans outside of linebacker coach Shane Bowen in Houston. Titans defensive back coach Anthony Midget held the same title on the Texans team that coached Clowney.
The Saints, the other main contender, have also argued in favor of Clowney, sources say.
Clowney made an impact after his trade to the Seattle Seahawks by the Houston Texans ahead of the 2019 season in exchange for Jacob Martin, Barkevious Mingo and a 2020 third-round pick.
Despite having only three sacks in 13 regular-season games, Clowney placed fifth in ESPN’s 24.8% pass win rate, scored two defensive touchdowns and was consistently the Seattle’s most disruptive defensive lineman. PRWR measures how often a defender beats their blocker in 2.5 seconds or more.
Clowney, who turned 27 in February, suffered an abdominal muscle injury in Week 10 last season and has chosen to postpone the surgery until the offseason. This left him playing in pain for most of the second half of the season. The injury sidelined him for two games; he missed a third game with the flu.
He then added 1.5 sacks in Seattle’s two playoff games. His shot from helmet to helmet on Carson Wentz – who did not shoot a penalty or fine – knocked out the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback in the Seattle victory.
The Seahawks couldn’t stop it from hitting the open market via the franchise tag or the bridging tag, as they agreed not to tag Clowney when they acquired him. Clowney had been tagged by the Texans and possessed the power to insist on the lack of a 2020 tag because he had not yet signed his offer.
Clowney was named to three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2016-18 with the Texans. In total, he has 236 tackles, 32 sacks, 9 forced fumbles, 7 digs, 51 tackles for a loss, one interception and 4 defensive touchdowns since being selected with the first pick overall in the 2014 Draft.
Clowney suffered from knee injuries early in his career, missing 15 games in his first two seasons. In 2016, he played with wrist and elbow injuries, competing in 14 games and competing in the Pro Bowl for the first time. In 2017, he played all 16 games for the only time in his career.
ESPN’s Brady Henderson and Turron Davenport contributed to this report.
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