What a Jadeveon Clowney extension may look like for Seahawks
By Geoff Shull
What an extension with the Seahawks may look like
Many would argue that if we were going to pay a defensive lineman big money we should have stuck with Frank Clark. While no one can argue this in terms of pass rush ability, one key stat stands out to me, tackles for a loss. Coach Carroll has emphasized for years that stopping the run is one of the biggest priorities of the defense. Clark excelled rushing the passer but was in the bottom half the league in edge containment. Clowney is a better overall player and athlete, a real jack of all trades and is able to both rush the passer and contain the edge.
As I mentioned previously, Clowneys projection per Spotrac last off season had him making an average of $20 million per year post Lawrence’s deal. His current projected extension half way through the year has him at $20.3 million per year and will likely just continue to increase as the year progresses. While his stats aren’t eye popping this year, if he goes through free agency you can guarantee yourself, he will be offered by more than 1 team a contract well north of that $20.3 million figure.
Clowney will likely be pushing for a contract somewhere around Aaron Donald’s extension of 6-year deal worth $135 million ($22.5 million per year).
Seattle meanwhile is likely looking along the Danielle Hunter, Dee Ford extensions in terms of monetary value and length. This would be closer to a 4-year $72 million deal ($18 million per year).
If a deal is to be done it would likely need to be a compromise between player and team. The Seahawks already have two players who reset the market in Russell Wilson, and Bobby Wagner. We also just let go of a similar caliber player in Frank Clark. Clowney has publicly stated how happy he is in Seattle and how Russell Wilson makes all the difference for the team and locker room chemistry.
The Seahawks will need to acknowledge that in todays NFL, teams are more pass happy than ever. In order to succeed we must generate pressure on the QB. Putting significant money into a player who has gotten better year after year and is just now entering his prime is not money wasted and should prove to be a wise investment as time goes on.
My projected deal for Clowney and the Seahawks
Player Terms Signing Bonus Guarantee Avg Salary
Clowney 5yr, $108 Million $23.5 Million $60 Million $21.6 Million
This is good enough to put him in the top 5 for positional pay and in the top 30 in the NFL but won’t be that record-breaking contract that Clowney was reportedly looking for. Concessions will have to go both ways for a deal to be struck.
dark. Next. Clowney was the Hawks best offseason move
I would anticipate there be an out in the contract after two years in case of injuries or lack of production to protect the team in this deal. His cap hit for 2020 would likely end around $14 million leaving $58 million in cap space for other extensions and free agency. More than enough to secure key players and keep our best assets home.