Jadeveon Clowney has agreed to a one-year contract with the Houston Texans, returning to the franchise that selected him with the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, according to a person with direct knowledge of the agreement who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been officially announced.
The 33-year-old edge rusher spent his first five NFL seasons in Houston, where he accumulated 29 sacks in 62 regular-season games and earned three Pro Bowl selections. His tenure with the Texans ended in 2019 when he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks after missing training camp due to a contract dispute stemming from the franchise tag.
Journeyman Career Path Since Leaving Houston
Since departing the Texans, Clowney has played for multiple NFL franchises. Last season, he appeared with the Dallas Cowboys. His career trajectory also includes stints with Tennessee, Cleveland, Baltimore and Carolina.
During the 2023 season with the Ravens, Clowney matched his career high with 9.5 sacks, a statistical mark he originally established with the Texans in 2017.
College Stardom at South Carolina
Before entering the NFL, Clowney established himself as a dominant defensive player at the University of South Carolina. He earned consensus All-American honors twice and won the Ted Hendricks Award in 2012 as the nation’s top defensive end, helping the Gamecocks finish each of his three collegiate seasons with an 11-2 record.
Clowney is widely remembered for a definitive play during the January 2013 Outback Bowl against Michigan, where he forced a fumble from running back Vincent Smith in the backfield, knocked Smith’s helmet off, and recovered the loose ball himself. South Carolina subsequently honored his achievements by retiring his jersey number 7 in 2022.
Contract Terms and Team Outlook
The financial terms of the one-year agreement between Clowney and the Texans have not been publicly disclosed pending an official announcement from the franchise. The reunion brings an experienced veteran pass rusher back to the defensive front seven where his professional career began.
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