Full circle.
Jadeveon Clowney, the player the Houston Texans selected No. 1 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft, has agreed to terms to return to the franchise that launched his career, sources confirmed Sunday. The deal is a one-year contract with a maximum value of $8 million and a base of $5.5 million.
Clowney, 33, spent last season with the Dallas Cowboys, where he led the team with 8.5 sacks in 13 games. That production, combined with his longstanding ties to Houston, made a reunion a natural fit after he also drew interest from the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks.
“It was a family decision. It wasn’t about the money. It was about legacy and chasing a Super Bowl,” Clowney told Aaron Wilson of SportsTalk 790. “I’ve got a lot of game left and I want to contribute.”
The three-time Pro Bowler and 2016 second-team All-Pro reached out to head coach DeMeco Ryans to express his desire to return. “I was looking forward to playing for DeMeco,” Clowney said. “Pretty exciting coach to play for. I reached out to him and told him I wanted to play for him.”
Clowney spent his first five NFL seasons in Houston. After a rocky start that included injuries as a rookie, he developed into a disruptive force, earning Pro Bowl nods in 2016, 2017 and 2018. His time with the Texans ended in 2019 when the team traded him to Seattle after placing the franchise tag on him and failing to reach a long-term agreement.
Since leaving Houston, Clowney has bounced around the league — Seattle, Tennessee, Cleveland (two seasons), Baltimore, Carolina and Dallas — while remaining a productive edge presence. He recorded 9.5 sacks with the Ravens in 2023 and followed that with solid seasons in Carolina and Dallas. Career totals stand at 66.5 sacks, 16 forced fumbles and 11 fumble recoveries in 153 games.
Houston’s defense already features one of the league’s strongest pass-rush tandems in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, who combined for 27 sacks last season. Adding Clowney as a third edge option creates a formidable rotation. Clowney said he was excited about the opportunity to join them.
“Good defense, and I can help contribute and a good chance to chase a Super Bowl,” he said. “I know what it looks like. I can help this squad.”
Clowney has made Houston his home for years, training in the area during the offseason. At 33 and entering his 13th NFL season, he arrives in strong condition and motivated to prove he still has elite production left. His late-season surge with Dallas, capped by a dominant three-sack performance in the finale against the New York Giants, reinforced that belief.
The move strengthens a Texans defense already viewed as a championship contender. For Clowney, it offers a chance to rewrite the final chapter of a career that began with the highest of expectations in Houston.
“When I found out the Texans were interested, it was a no-brainer for me,” Clowney said. “It was comfortable for me to do that. I was excited to help the situation.”
A former No. 1 pick comes home. The story has another chapter.
