Veteran pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney is set to sign a deal with the Houston Texans, according to reports from NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. The 33-year-old defensive lineman heads back to the franchise that originally drafted him first overall in 2014, following a 2024 season spent with the Dallas Cowboys.
Return to Houston After a Decade
The reunion brings Clowney back to the organization where he spent his first five NFL seasons. Selected No. 1 overall out of South Carolina in the 2014 NFL Draft by Houston, Clowney earned three straight Pro Bowl nods with the Texans from 2016 to 2018. During his initial stint in Texas, he recorded 29 sacks and established himself as a dominant edge-setting force against the run.
Since leaving Houston via a 2019 trade to the Seattle Seahawks, Clowney has experienced a nomadic career trajectory. He has played for Seattle, the Tennessee Titans, the Cleveland Browns, the Baltimore Ravens, and most recently the Dallas Cowboys. His one-year stop in Dallas saw him provide veteran depth along the defensive front, though injuries and changing defensive schemes have limited his snap counts in recent years.
Contract Terms and Roster Impact
Specific financial terms of the agreement have not yet been finalized or publicly disclosed by team officials. However, the addition gives Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans another experienced presence on a defensive line that has prioritized foundational toughness and versatility. Ryans, who played alongside Clowney briefly during his own playing career, inherits a seasoned locker-room voice who can mentor younger pass rushers on the roster.
The Texans enter the upcoming roster-building phase looking to solidify their front-seven rotation following a competitive postseason run. Clowney’s familiarity with the defensive expectations in Houston could ease his transition back into the building as offseason workouts approach.
Next Steps for the Texans
The team is expected to formally announce the transaction once Clowney passes a physical and signs his standard player contract at the team facility. Fans and analysts can monitor official club channels and league transaction wires for confirmation of the roster designation and jersey number.
