Browns re-working Olivier Vernon contract basically shuts door on signing Jadeveon Clowney
The Cleveland Browns have re-worked Olivier Vernon’s contract
For Cleveland Browns fans out there hoping the organization would go out and sign Jadeveon Clowney this offseason, it just doesn’t look like things are going to go down the way you were hoping they would.
Why? On Tuesday morning, news broke the Browns have agreed to a re-negotiated contract with veteran defensive end Olivier Vernon. With Vernon for sure coming back to Cleveland in 2020, it essentially closes any kind of chance the team will also pay big bucks to bring in Clowney.
The Browns and DE Olivier Vernon have agreed to a renegotiated contract, per source. Vernon, previously due $15.25M non-guaranteed, gets $11M guaranteed through a $7M signing bonus, $3.75M base salary and a $250K workout bonus, plus $2M more available via incentives.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 7, 2020
It’s looking extremely unlikely the Browns will still pursue Jadeveon Clowney with Olivier Vernon re-upped.
Rumors had swirled in recent weeks the Browns could consider cutting Vernon. If that were to happen, it’d open up the opportunity for general manager Andrew Berry to go out and sign Clowney, who somehow still remains a free agent.
However, with this re-worked deal, Vernon isn’t going anywhere this summer or fall and is locked in as the starting defensive end opposite of former No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett. Vernon is now entering his second campaign with the team.
The 6-foot-2, 282-pounder appeared in only 10 games last season, posting 26 tackles and 2.5 sacks. If he wants to get back on the good side of Browns fans, he’ll need to see those numbers skyrocket in 2020.
A smart restructure, especially the no-tag provision. This money likely would have been ear-marked for FA Jadeveon Clowney... but that signing appears unlikely now. https://t.co/5sjn7sPCAO
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 7, 2020
For Clowney, he’ll now have to wait to see which team will come calling next. Will it be the Seahawks, Eagles or a surprise squad? We can’t wait to find out.