The Detroit Lions are marching onward in their eternal search for a pass rusher who can take some pressure off Aidan Hutchinson, and no one on the market can aid them in their quest as effectively as former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney.
Clowney, who is fresh off one of the best seasons of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, is reportedly in contact with one of his old squads. Of all teams, Clowney may be considering a reunion with the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland is staring down the barrel of another tough season, while the Lions might give him a chance to at least be within earshot of some silverware.
The Lions might be willing to let Clowney go to a team who is in all likelihood going to waste away, forcing a rookie and journeyman to fill in such a pivotal role in a season that is possibly going to have some major long-term ramifications. Is that really the best way forward?
Lions going cheap could lead to Jadeveon Clowney joining Browns
Clowney is not going to be the double-digit sack guy that fans have been begging for Brad Holmes to pair with Hutchinson. Where he does shine, however, is a rare blend of run-stuffing and pressuring the quarterback without necessarily getting a sack. In Kelvin Sheppard's defense, that style could be more attractive.
Sheppard plays with four down linemen as much as anyone in the league, and there's no such thing as having too much run defense in a league that is going back to bigger formations and more of a focus on running the ball. Clowney may also get the chance to chase a championship if he signs with Detroit.
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The firing of Kevin Stefanski and Jim Schwartz means that the Browns can't lean on the familiarity aspect as they try to woo Clowney. Unless Clowney is just looking for paychecks and will play for whoever ends up forking over the most cast, the Lions need to consider enticing him with a title run. Even if he just wants money, why not pay up for someone of this quality?
The Lions may be fine with a rotation of DJ Wonnum and rookie Derrick Moore as their edge rushers outside of Hutchinson, but Clowney is someone who could genuinely make a difference. Detroit's penny-pinching ways and willingness to let a player of Clowney's caliber fall through their fingers could come back to bite them.
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