The final week of the NFL regular season is always a strange one for teams not in playoff contention.
The Cleveland Browns are one of those teams, and things are starting to turn over.
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney made headlines on Thursday after a report came out in which he stated it was “95%” that he wouldn’t be back in Cleveland in 2023.
Clowney also made a statement with his comments regarding the organization and coaching staff as well (h/t Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com).
“I just feel like I need to be around somebody that believes in me and my ability. (It can’t) just be me believing in myself. I believe in myself more than anybody.”
Well, the Browns wasted no time in expediting that process.
The #Browns sent DE Jadeveon Clowney home from practice today after he told @clevelanddotcom that he's 95% sure he won't be back with team next season.
Clowney will be a free agent in March.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 6, 2023
“The #Browns sent DE Jadeveon Clowney home from practice today after he told @clevelanddotcomthat he’s 95% sure he won’t be back with team next season. Clowney will be a free agent in March,” Ari Meirov tweeted.
In 12 games this season, Clowney had 14 solo tackles and a pair of sacks with one forced fumble.
In 2021, Clowney registered 24 solo tackles with nine sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.
The Browns signed Clowney to a pair of one-year deals in 2021 and 2022, $10 million the first year and $11 million in 2022.
However, it really seems that Clowney’s time in Cleveland has reached an end with the Browns deciding to send him home.
Clowney, who turns 30 in February, will still be a prominent defender on the free-agent market, especially with teams needing edge help across the league.
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