Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns for a maximum of $11 million after enjoying one of the best seasons of his career with the franchise, sources confirmed to ESPN.
Clowney finished last season with nine sacks and two forced fumbles for the Browns while playing All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett, who, like Clowney, was also the No. 1 draft pick.
Cleveland.com first reported Clowney’s agreement to re-sign with the Browns.
Clowney, 29, signed a one-year deal with the Browns last April, valued at up to $10 million, which includes $750,000 in sack awards.
Prior to last season, he had struggled with injuries throughout his career. Clowney struggled with the Tennessee Titans in 2020, finishing eight games without a sack before suffering a season-ending knee injury that required surgery.
However, Clowney remained largely healthy last season, playing 14 games. He finished strong, getting two sacks and a forced fumble in the regular-season finals in Cleveland. Thereafter, Clowney expressed interest in returning to Cleveland, but added that he wanted to capitalize on the banner year financially.
“You play at a high level,” he said, “you want to get paid.”
The Houston Texans drafted Clowney No. 1 overall in the 2014 draft. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, he has 41 sacks in eight seasons.
ESPN’s Jake Trotter and Jeremy Fowler contributed to this report.