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2016 NFL free agency: Who will Chris Clemons sign with?

By Patrick Morgan

Jun 16, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Chris Clemons (91) during minicamp at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Chris Clemons (91) during minicamp at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports /
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Where will Chris Clemons sign in 2016 NFL free agency?

Chris Clemons had one of the more remarkable runs you’ll ever see for a pass-rusher at the beginning of the decade, averaging 9.5 sacks a season while helping to establish Pete Carroll’s Seattle Seahawks as a defensive force to be reckoned with. Originally drafted by the Redskins 12 years ago, Clemons has played on multiple teams over the course of his long career, including the Eagles, Raiders, Browns, and most recently the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He had a pretty unremarkable season with the Jaguars in 2015, his second with the AFC South team, and it ended up costing him his job – he was released by the team on Thursday, March 3, just two years into his contract. Clemons now enters free agency hoping to prove he’s still capable of staving off retirement at what is an advanced age for an NFL player at his position.

Vitals

Age: 34
Notable stat: had 38 sacks over 4 seasons with the Seahawks (2010-2013)
All-Pro teams: 0
Pro Bowls: 0

Contract comparison

If Clemons hadn’t been cut, he would have entered the second half of a four year contract with the Jaguars worth $17.5 million. The move makes fiscal sense for Jacksonville, who will now save $25.5 million against the salary cap over the next three seasons with the release of Clemons and offensive guard Zane Beadles (cut the same day as Clemons). The Jaguars now enter free agency with the highest cap flexibility in the NFL, and are free to pursue any of the big names they’d like while clearing their roster of a couple aging players.

Clemons is still just a year removed from an eight-sack season, however, and only a few removed from his glory days as a Seahawk. While his physical decline is inevitable and apparent, he still could prove useful to an NFL team should he decide against retirement. Something akin to Denver’s one year deal with Antonio Smith seems about right, considering both defensive ends are well past their prime (Smith is also 34 years old).

Estimate: 1 year/$2 million/$750K guaranteed

Where will he sign?

Now that Jason Pierre-Paul’s future with the New York Giants is very much in doubt (careful with those fireworks, kids), it’s time for Big Blue to start looking at alternatives when it comes to pass-rushers. Ideally the team would like to address this area by drafting a future star or two that brings youth and longevity to the position, but beggars can’t always be choosers – and Eli Manning isn’t getting any younger.

This team needs to do whatever it can now to return to relevancy before their quarterback begins to show telltale signs that it’s the beginning of the end for this generation of Manning passers.

Tampa Bay also could be in the market for a veteran defensive end to complement William Gholston. Clemons is already used to playing on the right side of the line, and he would be a surefire upgrade over any of the players the Bucs currently have allotted at right defensive end.

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