Jadeveon Clowney wants to set market for edge rushers and Seahawks should let him

Reportedly, Jadeveon Clowney wants a market-setting contract this offseason. If this is truly the case, the Seahawks should not fight for him to stay.

The Seahawks need edge rushers, many of them. It would be nice if working out a contract extension with Jadeveon Clowney was easy. But this is the NFL and there is lots of money to be had and money complicates everything. According to Bleacher Reports Matt Miller, Clowney wants a “market-setting contract.” If this is true, Seattle needs to say goodbye to Jadeveon Clowney.

The Seahawks traded for Clowney last offseason and during the negotiations to get his services, Seattle agreed not to franchise tag Clowney. In 2019, Jadeveon Clowney was far and away the best defensive lineman that the Seahawks had. He led Seattle in quarterback hits, forced fumbles and would have probably led in sacks by an ungodly number had he not been double-teamed an ungodly amount. Why was he double-teamed so much? He had no help.

This is kind of my point. If Seattle wants to help Jadeveon Clowney get a market-setting contract then that would cost the team $23.5-plus million a season. Why that number? Because that is what Bears linebacker/edge rusher Khalil Mack averages per year in his current deal. Seattle would then possibly run the risk of replicating in 2020 what they had in 2019: Jadeveon Clowney and a bunch of not-much-else.

If Clowney wants as much money as Miller says he does, Seattle could split that money and sign two edge rushers who may not be as good as Jadeveon Clowney but might combined be better. Seattle doesn’t need one great edge rushers; They would be better off with two or three good ones. At least then teams couldn’t focus on one player like they did on Clowney in 2019. Depth is better than one superstar.

Maybe Seattle could sign the Falcons Vic Beasley and one other player. Or two other players. Of course, if the Seahawks do not re-sign Clowney, they almost have to re-sign Jarran Reed. But even Reed would come at a cost that lets Seattle afford another good player, unlike Clowney’s contract would do. So maybe we will see a Clowney-less Seahawks in 2020, but the team could still be better.