Seahawks clown Texans, steal Jadeveon Clowney for backups

The Seahawks just took a big step forward to a good playoff run by getting Jadeveon Clowney. This is better news than even first glance shows.

Social media is blowing up with reports that the Seahawks have traded for Jadeveon Clowney. The Texans edge player made it clear that he was interested in two teams, the Hawks and some lesser bird-themed team, the Eagles. Hawks haven’t confirmed the deal yet, but Ian Rapoport has. As it stands now, the Hawks will get Jadeveon Clowney for Jacob Martin, Barkevious Mingo and a third-round pick.

Just a few days ago I wrote about the possibility of this deal. I like this deal a lot. As I said then, I don’t see this as the best possible addition to the Hawks. I think he benefits by playing on the other end of the line from an absolute monster, J.J. Watt. But Clowney is a really good player, no doubt. As Lee Vowell wrote, he’s arguably better than any other player the Seahawks already have as pass rushers. Clowney is good against the run as well and will be a great addition to Seattle’s defense this year.

Some 12s are asking why the Hawks didn’t just keep Frank Clark instead of make a deal for Jadeveon Clowney. Our Colby Patnode has your answer. The trade of Clark eventually moved the Seahawks from four draft picks into eleven picks. That’s an incredible amount of talent. So no, it isn’t a bad move at all to pay Clowney instead of Clark. As Colby wrote, this is an entirely different situation today.

If Seahawks can’t keep Jadeveon Clowney long-term, it’s okay

More from Seattle Seahawks News

• 4 prospects Seahawks could reach for at No. 20 in 2023 NFL Draft
• Seattle Seahawks Mock Draft: Post-first wave of free agency 
• Seahawks podcast: A review of the first week of free agency
• 4 experiments the Seattle Seahawks could cut short in 2023
• 3 pros and cons of Seattle Seahawks drafting Anthony Richardson

It’s true that Clowney wants a big contract. That’s one of the reasons he’s leaving the Texans, after all. That, and that he reportedly was going to sign his tender until Houston started putting out feelers about trading him. The Hawks now have to pay him that tender, just under $16 million. Since they have $20 million in cap space, that’s no issue. If they can’t come to a long-term contract with Clowney next season, they’ll get a third-round draft pick as compensation. So the trade becomes two players for Jadeveon Clowney.

Those two players are reported to be Jacob Martin and Barkevious Mingo. Martin was entering his second year with Seattle and had three sacks last year. I’ve written about Mingo and the Seahawks parting way so often, I feel kind of guilty. Only kind of, though. As I’ve written every time, it isn’t that Mingo isn’t productive. It’s that he doesn’t produce like a player with a cap hit over $5 million. For that reason, he’s a perfect fit for this trade.

By the way, you think Russell Wilson is happy about this trade?

To get Jadeveon Clowney the Seahawks send Mingo, who would likely be a cap-space casualty. Martin was going to be a situational player. If Clowney doesn’t sign with Seattle long-term, the third-round pick will come back. Don’t forget that this opens up a spot on the 53 man roster. Whether it’s Shaquem Griffin, Gary Jennings Jr., or whoever, somebody owes John Schneider a nice dinner for this move. Just as he did in the NFL draft, Schneider proved he’s the best general manager in the game. Dare I say, Schneider clowned the Texans with this deal.