Report: Eagles among teams interested in signing Jadeveon Clowney

The Philadelphia Eagles are one of multiple NFL teams expressing interest in signing free agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, according to FOX 26 sports director Mark Berman. (Same guy who first reported Timmy Jernigan to the Houston Texans.)

Berman notes that the Seattle Seahawks, the Cleveland Browns, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Tennessee Titans are also in the market for the No. 1 overall pick from the 2014 NFL Draft.

Clowney to the Eagles is an idea we previously discussed in last week’s “Free agents the Eagles can sign now that it won’t impact their compensatory pick formula” post on BGN.

Can you imagine?

First, the Eagles use pick No. 53 on a backup quarterback instead of another offensive weapon for Carson Wentz. Then they go out and sign the dude that concussed him back in January?

On the flip side, signing Clowney would prevent him from hitting Wentz with another cheap shot during a game.

Seriously, though, I don’t see the Eagles signing Clowney. Even putting the Wentz angle aside, his price tag is probably more than what the Eagles want to pay.

And Clowney might not exactly be rushing to play in Philly, either. He did refer to Eagles fans as “the worst fans in the world.”

The Eagles ideally could afford to add another pass rusher, though. Derek Barnett and Brandon Graham are locked in as the 2020 starters but there isn’t much proven depth behind them. Josh Sweat is the current favorite to be the first pass rusher off the bench. Beyond him, it’s anyone’s guess.

Despite this new report, I still don’t think the Eagles will be the team to sign Clowney.

Howie Roseman sure didn’t jump at the chance to acquire him last year when all the trade compensation took was a 2020 third-round pick and two backup linebackers. NFL insider Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports previously suggested the Eagles don’t view Clowney as a fit. From last year:

“I don’t think he’s viewed by the power brokers in Philly as someone fitting their cap/culture situations. NFL is a never say never league, but that’s not looking like a fit.” [...] “One more note on Eagles pass rush: Twice in the last month, I’ve asked if there is any interest in Jadeveon Clowney. And twice the response has been flat. His culture fit doesn’t seem right and his extension figures - likely around 5 years and $110 million - are a big burden.”

At first glance, the Eagles do have money to spend on Clowney with $23,547,404 in cap space to work with. That’s actually good for seventh most in the league. But the Eagles won’t be looking to spend that entire amount given that they’re currently projected to be $50.7 million OVER the cap in 2021. The Eagles need to roll over some of their current cap space to help out with next year. Graphic via Over The Cap:

And thus I can’t see the Eagles bringing in Clowney on some kind of big money contract. They’re more likely to address their need for more edge help with a bargain bin signing. On that note, NBC Sports Philadelphia recently suggested that Vinny Curry could be coming back for another season:

The fact that the Eagles were one of multiple teams listed in Berman’s report indicates the source was likely Clowney’s agent trying to drum up a market for his client. It’s entirely possible the Eagles have expressed interest in Clowney in the form of checking in on his price tag. If the cost is more reasonable than expected, Roseman might strike. But I wouldn’t hold your breath on that front. Clowney will likely be playing for another team in 2020.