Free-agent defensive end Clowney open to reuniting with Texans
Free-agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is considering rejoining the Houston Texans ahead of the 2023 season.
Clowney, 30, began his career with Houston after the club selected him first overall in the 2014 NFL Draft.
"It would be nice," Clowney said when asked about a possible return to Houston, according to ESPN's DJ Bien-Amie. "All my family is here. Friends (are) here. The guys I work out with can help me take care of my body a lot better being right up under them."
He added: "You never know what will happen. You never know what's in front of you."
The South Carolina product spent five seasons with the Texans. He racked up 205 tackles, 64 tackles for loss, and 29 sacks during his tenure in Houston. After earning three consecutive Pro Bowl nods (2016-18), Houston traded Clowney to the Seattle Seahawks prior to his 2019 campaign.
Clowney joined the Tennessee Titans after spending one season in Seattle. He spent the past two seasons as a member of the Cleveland Browns and tallied 15 TFLs and 11 sacks prior to hitting free agency this offseason.
Houston has been busy retooling its roster after posting a 3-13-1 mark in 2022. The Texans are expected to build around a young nucleus that features quarterback C.J. Stroud and pass-rusher Will Anderson Jr.
Clowney is among the many people outside the franchise who have taken notice of their offseason moves.
"They're putting the pieces together," he said.
The Texans finished 30th in the league in yards allowed per game (379.5) and surrendered 24.7 points per contest (27th in NFL) in 2022.