Browns hosting visit with Jadeveon Clowney, who got away in 2020

The Cleveland Browns are officially holding a visit with free agent edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.

Last offseason, every NFL fan and pundit was keeping an eye on where edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney would land as the 2020 season rapidly approached. One team that was consistently brought up was the Cleveland Browns, but they ultimately lost out to the Tennessee Titans.

Now, with Clowney a free agent once again, the Browns have their chance to get the player they had their eyes for quite some time.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Browns are hosting Clowney for a visit on Wednesday.

Browns: Can Cleveland sign Jadeveon Clowney to a deal?

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport mentions that despite the Browns having significant interest in Clowney, they were never able to bring him in for a face-to-face visit. They now have that opportunity.

Clowney did end up holding out late into the summer before agreeing to terms on a one-year, $13 million contract. While the Titans were hoping that Clowney, along with Vic Beasley, would help create a dominant pass rush in 2020, that never came to fruition. Clowney ended up playing eight games last season before being placed on injured reserve when it was determined he needed left knee surgery.

In total, the former 2014 first-overall selection tallied 19 total tackles (four for loss), six quarterback hits, four defended passes and one forced fumble. Additionally, Clowney recorded 11 pressures, six knockdowns and five hurries against the opposing quarterback, per Pro Football Reference.

As of this writing, the Browns are in need of a starting edge rusher. Olivier Vernon, who shined last season, is currently a free agent due to the fact that he tore his ACL in Cleveland’s Week 17 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team did sign Takkarist McKinley to a one-year, $4 million deal, but the Clowney visit is evident they do not feel they are set at defensive end.

The Browns have Clowney in the building, and it will be interesting to see if he will leave with a signed contract.