Before he signed with the Titans, the Texans reached out to Jadeveon Clowney to gauge his interest in a reunion, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets. Ultimately, Clowney was not interested in returning to his longtime employer.
[RELATED: Texans Sign Watson To Four-Year Extension]
Clowney didn’t leave on the best of terms, but the Texans didn’t want to pass up the chance to improve their edge rush. They also didn’t want to leave an open lane for Clowney to join up with their divisional rivals. After being rebuffed, they’ll now face their former No. 1 overall pick twice per year. The Texans weren’t alone in that thinking, according to PFT’s Mike Florio. He hears that the Seahawks – Clowney’s last club – wanted to keep Clowney away from the Saints. Ditto for the Jaguars and Ravens, who wanted to block the Titans.
Chess game aside, the Texans’ interest in Clowney is an indication that they’d like to upgrade in the front seven. As it stands, Charles Omenihu is set to play opposite of J.J. Watt at defensive end. At outside linebacker, Whitney Mercilus and Brennan Scarlett are slated to start, with DE/OLB shuffling along the way.
In other Texans news, Deshaun Watson is now locked in through 2025 thanks to a four-year, $177MM+ extension. Patrick Mahomes still leads all QBs (and players) with an AAV of $45MM, but Watson’s $39MM AAV now ranks second among QBs to top the likes of Russell Wilson, Ben Roethlisberger, Aaron Rodgers, and Jared Goff.
The Texans looked pitiful last night. Gonna be a LONG season for their HC/GM guy.
In all fairness, they happened to be playing a team with more talent and better coaching than they will face the rest of the season.
For Deshaun Watson’s sake, maybe it will finally be his last.
Never should of traded the best WR for next to nothing
Agreed. The Texans actually have a respectable receiving corps comprised of solid contributors like Cobb, Cooks, and Stills. However, the key word is “solid” rather than elite. Watson clearly missed Hopkins last night, with nobody there to bail him out when under pressure (which happened frequently).
Fuller has the athleticism and upside to emerge as that dynamic, game-changing target. However, he struggled when double-teamed, which Hopkins was previously subjected to. This allowed Fuller to thrive in years prior, but in order for this system to continue, someone else will need to step up. It also remains to be seen if Fuller can actually stay upright for a sixteen game slate, but that’s a different story altogether.
The Texans will have a chance to clinch the postseason, especially with an extra playoff spot. However, they once again lack the upside necessary to compete with the upper-class of the AFC. Their division isn’t exactly a cakewalk either, with the Colts and Titans rostering a more well-balanced team despite inferior quarterback play
As a colts fan it’s a pleasure to hear you say that but I will say this Houston through out all the issues and over the years is one sure fire competitor they have a fire and they go I respect that a lot. Can’t wait to see you guys this season
What about those magic beans? Thats not nothing!!!
Gheeez, even after he signs somewhere we still get the Clown-ey stories…does his agent work for PFR and get paid by the clicks?
Agree… If the Texans or any other team was that torn or trying, they would have made it work.
Too little too late….
No need to abbreviate his name like that, unless you’re purposefully trying to be insulting.
It’s mind-blowing that O’Brien thought he’d have a chance to begin with.