It’s been an interesting season for the Cleveland Browns, to say the least. And it looks like they’ll end the 2022-2023 NFL season without star defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who has been sent home after he criticized the Browns’ coaching staff and admitted that he refused to play on certain downs during their Week 15 game.
Thursday, Clowney told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com that he was “ninety-five percent sure I won’t be back.”
“I just feel like I need to be around somebody that believes in me and my ability. It can’t just be me believing in myself. I believe in myself more than anybody.”
He also admitted that he refused to play on first or second down in the Browns‘ game against the Baltimore Ravens.
“I’m not doing that s***. I’m old. I’ve done my job,” Clowney said. “I don’t have time for that. I’ve made my money. I’m doing this because I love the game but keep [doing things like that] and making me not love the game.”
Friday, the Browns reportedly sent the No. 1 overall pick of the 2014 draft home because of his comments, perhaps cementing his feeling that his time in Cleveland was done.
Browns DE coach Chris Kiffin told reporters Friday that Clowney said injuries were the reason he didn’t want to play on first or second down. However, he now realizes that wasn’t the case.
#Browns DE coach Chris Kiffin confirms that Clowney refused to play on first or second down vs. Baltimore. Kiffin could only get him to play on third downs. Clowney told Kiffin then it was due to injury. Kiffin says he now realizes that injury wasn't the reason.
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) January 6, 2023
Despite playing alongside star pass rusher Myles Garrett, Clowney has not made much of an impact in his second year with the team, recording only two sacks in 12 games played this season. Perhaps he’ll be able to catch on with another team next season but this isn’t going to help his reputation for a team looking to put together a dependable defensive roster.
[PFT, Jake Trotter]