After opening free agency by signing Pro Bowl tight end Austin Hooper and right tackle Jack Conklin, it's been a quiet couple of weeks for the Cleveland Browns.
But it appears first-year general manager Andrew Berry might be trying to make another splash.
Appearing on Sportscenter on Saturday morning, ESPN's Jeremy Folwer discussed the league's top remaining free agent, Jadeveon Clowney. And according to Fowler, the Browns have not only shown interest in the seventh-year defensive end, but believe that they got closer to signing him than any of his other suitors have to this point -- although recent talks have yet to result in a deal.
The No. 1 overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, Clowney spent the first five years of his career with the Houston Texans before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks ahead of the start of the 2019 season. In 13 games with Seattle, Clowney tallied 31 tackles, 7 of which came for a loss and 3 sacks while ranking as the league's No. 15 edge defender, according to Pro Football Focus.
While his 32 career sacks could be considered underwhelming, the 27-year-old Clowney would team with 24-year-old Myles Garrett to give the Browns one of the NFL's most dynamic young pass-rushing duos. Currently, Olivier Vernon is slated to return opposite Garrett in Cleveland's starting lineup, although the Browns could save $15.5 million by waiving the 29-year-old veteran.
In addition to Cleveland, the Seahawks and Tennessee Titans are reportedly interested in Clowney. Per ESPN's Dianna Russini, the 3-time Pro Bowl selection is seeking a contract in the $17 million-$18 million average salary range.