Jadeveon Clowney reportedly returning to Houston, elevates Texans to NFC contender

The Houston Texans are running it back with one of their former first-round draft picks. On Sunday afternoon, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Texans have agreed to terms with EDGE rusher Jadeveon Clowney. The news was first reported by Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo: 

Although it was reported that the star defensive end could end up returning to the Cleveland Browns, the first team that took a chance on him 12 years ago won out. Clowney was drafted by the Texans with their No. 1 overall pick in 2014, and spent the longest tenure of his NFL career in Houston. After his 2014 rookie season was cut short thanks to a knee injury he suffered early in the year, he finished his second season with 40 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. 

He made three consecutive Pro Bowls with Houston from 2016-18, as well as being named a Second-Team All-Pro in 2016. His best season came in 2017 in Houston, as he finished with 57 total tackles including 9.5 sacks with 21 quarterback hits. His last season with the Texans in 2018, he finished with 47 total tackles, nine sacks and 21 quarterback hits. 

With the Texans, Clowney's addition makes Houston look like a real NFC contender. Under head coach DeMeco Ryans, Houston has made it to the divisional round of the playoffs each of the last three seasons. 

Clowney joins an elite unit, which already features star pass-rusher Will Anderson Jr., who has combined for 23 sacks in each of his last two seasons. The Texans also have defensive stars in linebacker Henry To'oTo'o, Azeez Al-Shaair, Derek Stingley Jr. and secondary stars in Reed Blankenship and Kamar Lassiter. The Texans have led the league in yards allowed per game in each of the last two seasons. 

Since playing for Houston, he has bounced around several different teams around the league. After his time in Houston, he spent one season with the Seattle Seahawks in 2019, getting just three sacks but adding four forced fumbles, 31 tackles and an interception. During the 2020 season he spent a season with the Tennessee Titans, but played in just eight games due to a knee injury. 

He then spent two seasons with Cleveland Browns from 2021-2022, combining for 65 total tackles with 11 sacks, nine of those coming in 2021. The Browns' defense that season finished fifth in the league, giving up just 311.5 yards per game. He spent the 2023 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, finishing with 9.5 sacks, which matches his career-high, 43 tackles and 19 quarterback hits. 

He spent the 2024-25 season with the Carolina Panthers, during which he finished with 46 total tackles with 5.5 sacks. His most recent season with the Dallas Cowboys last season, he had 41 total tackles with 8.5 sacks and a forced fumble. 

Clowney, a native of Rock Hill, S.C., played for three seasons at South Carolina from 2011-2013, under Steve Spurrier. He is one of just two Gamecocks that have gone on to be No. 1 overall NFL draft picks, joining running back George Rogers of the New Orleans Saints in 1981.

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