The Seattle Seahawks have an open roster spot thanks to the release of undrafted rookie tight end Mitch Van Vooren. The Seahawks released the tight end on Friday and have yet to make a corresponding addition. SI on Seahawks’ Tim Weaver argued Saturday that the team should consider bringing back edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.
The 2016 second-team All-Pro edge rusher was one of four veterans Weaver proposed as possible additions for the Seahawks because of their open roster spot.
“Bringing Clowney back would arguably give the Seahawks the best five-deep edge rotation in the league – starting with DeMarcus Lawrence at the top, then Uchenna Nwosu and Boye Mafe and Derick Hall,” Weaver wrote. “Where Clowney would fit in that picture is not immediately clear, but that’s also a good problem to have.”
Clowney posted 5.5 sacks with nine tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hits with the Carolina Panthers last season. In his 14 games, he played 64% of the team’s defensive snaps.
The 32-year-old spent the 2019 season with the Seahawks. He posted three sacks, seven tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits in 13 games.
Over his 11-year NFL career, Clowney has earned more than $95 million.
Could the Seahawks Bring Back Jadeveon Clowney?
Clowney arrived in Seattle coming off three consecutive Pro Bowls with the Houston Texans from 2016-18.
Following his third Pro Bowl, the Texans placed the franchise tag on the edge rusher in March 2019. But that August just before the season, the Seahawks acquired Clowney in a trade.
Clowney provided some huge plays while in Seattle. He returned an interception for a touchdown and forced four fumbles. But Clowney disappointed in the sacks departure, so the Seahawks allowed the defensive end to leave in free agency.
Since 2020, the veteran edge rusher has become a journeyman. He played for the Tennessee Titans for one season and was with the Cleveland Browns for a pair of campaigns. The past two years, Clowney played for the Baltimore Ravens and Panthers.
Although he hasn’t found a permanent home, Clowney has posted a pair of nine or 9.5-sack seasons since leaving Seattle. But he’s also had two seasons with two or fewer sacks.
Seahawks Edge Rushing Depth After NFL Minicamp
Seattle may have parted with Van Voore on Friday because the team has six other tight ends on the offseason roster.
It makes sense for the Seahawks to add another player at a different position. Seattle, though, is pretty stacked along the edge on defense as well.
The Seahawks don’t distinguish between inside and outside linebacker on their offseason roster. But they have nine linebackers on the roster that are expected to play outside.
That also doesn’t count free agent addition DeMarcus Lawrence or former top 10 pick Leonard Williams. The Seahawks list both Lawrence and Williams as defensive ends, but they could fit in the “edge rusher” category.
Weaver implied Lawrence will play outside linebacker along with Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe and Derick Hall. With those four edge rushers, there might not be enough snaps for someone like Clowney.
Still, Clowney, who the Texans drafted at No. 1 overall in 2014, is such a big name, the possibility of him returning to Seattle is very intriguing.
The other edge rushers on Seattle’s offseason roster include Jamie Sheriff, Tyreke Smith, Seth Coleman, Jared Ivey, Connor O’Toole, and Jalan Gaines.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Seahawks Urged to Consider Reunion With $95 Million Former All-Pro appeared first on Heavy Sports.