Detroit Lions signing Jadeveon Clowney would work for both sides

The Detroit Lions have an opportunity that they would usually never have, they should take advantage of Jadeveon Clowney’s situation.

It’s been nearly four months since free agency has started, and the Detroit Lions still have a healthy amount of unused cap space. Many fans have been advocating for the team to sign defensive end Everson Griffen or edge rusher Markus Golden. Although there is one big name that merits a closer look.

We’ve all heard it before. On the surface, it’s unlikely for a defensive star of Jadeveon Clowney caliber to sign with a team like Detroit. However, if you dig deeper, it comes together nicely. The main reason that Clowney has gone unsigned for this long is the uncertainty of his health.

Add that along with his desire for a long-term contract, teams are going to be hesitant, primarily because of the inability to bring him in for a visit with the current pandemic going on. In my perspective, Clowney’s best direction would be to take a risk on a prove-it deal.

The Lions might be in the best position to offer Clowney a deal of that stature. Despite being a one-year deal, the compensation desired will be presented. If general manager Bob Quinn were to offer Clowney a contract around 20 million for this upcoming season alone, he should consider it heavily.

Hypothetically, let’s say Clowney accepts this deal. He’s now making money desired, all with the opportunity to show the league he is healthy and still play at a high level. He’ll also have the support of defensive end Trey Flowers and hopefully defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand to take pressure off during pass rush.

If all goes well, Detroit will have a good enough defense to provide a winning season. As for Clowney, healthy and producing at a high level would be apart of that winning season. In which he will have a plethora of teams calling him during free agency of 2021.

This is under the assumption that the Lions would let him walk, allowing Bob Quinn (who keeps his job in this scenario) to sign left tackle Taylor Decker and wide receiver Kenny Golladay to extensions. Rookie edge rusher Julian Okwara would be inline to replace Clowney.