On Thursday, Cleveland Browns edge rusher and 2014 No. 1 overall pick JaDeveon Clowney let his frustrations with the organization be known in an interview with Cleveland.com.
The three-time Pro Bowl selection called out the Browns’ defensive schemes and how he was being used in them. Clowney, who’s never reached the high expectations predicted for him coming out of college, voiced how he thought favoritism was being shown to fellow edge rusher Myles Garrett.
In his interview, Clowney talked about how the team schemed their defense to help the aforementioned Garrett achieve more success.
“You’re all trying to get Garrett into the Hall of Fame instead of winning games,” Clowney said. ”I don’t even think Garrett notices. I ain’t trying to say it’s him. I try to get along with everybody I play with. Me and him don’t have a problem. It ain’t his fault, and it’s B.S., and I don’t have time for it.”
Clowney continued, “We practiced all week, and we get into the game and they want to move me. I’m not doing this s—t, I’m old. I done my job. I don’t have time for that,” Clowney told Cleveland.com. “I’ve made my money. I’m doing this because I love the game, but keep doing things like that and making me not love the game.”
this clip from Clowney is incredible foreshadowing given recent article that came out. seems like this dynamic has been bugging him since training camp pic.twitter.com/rhPj2indlP
— Quincy Carrier (@Kwen_C) January 6, 2023
He also said he’s 95 percent sure he won’t return to the Browns, citing the aforementioned favoritism towards Garrett.
Clowney’s frustrations seemed to fester around week 7 in a road game against Baltimore.
Defensive ends coach Chris Kiffin said Clowney basically took himself off the field on first and second downs. That contradicted Clowney’s original statement to Kiffin that he wouldn’t be able to play non-third downs due to an undisclosed injury.
In essence, it sounds like Clowney was loafing or trying to avoid the rigors of competition. Unfortunately for someone so talented, he doesn’t have the best track record as it pertains to effort and desire.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski Sent Clowney Home Friday
Clowney’s comments were immediately viewed as detrimental to the team, and embattled head coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t waste any time sending Clowney home from practice, which pretty much ends his tenure on the shores of Lake Erie.
Stefanski addressed the matter during his Friday post practice presser.
“I’m not going into discussions with any of our players throughout the course of a season,” said Stefanski. “We’re all human. We all have things that come up throughout the season that we talk about, but I’m not going to get into the specifics on this one.”
A Shocked Garrett Spoke On The Matter
Garrett was one of the main teammates who wanted Clowney to return for a second season. He let it be known to Browns brass that they needed to get a deal done and bring Clowney back despite him tallying a grand total of two sacks and a paltry 16.5 percent pass rush win rate while never being doubled.
Garrett, on the other hand, is doubled the most in the league at 31.3 percent, but still has 15 sacks which ranks fourth in the league, and his 27.8 percent pass rush win rate ranks second in the league.
Myles Garrett, on Clowney saying the #Browns are more concerned with getting Garrett in the hall of fame than winning games: pic.twitter.com/PWFpc420E8
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) January 6, 2023
Garrett addressed the media in his post practice presser:
“If I’m the most double-teamed guy, it’s hard to say I’m getting the most favorable matchups,” Garrett said. “What I’ve done speaks for itself. Of course they’re going to put me in position to make plays. But they’re also going to be positions where I’m going to be double-teamed. I move all over the line. Clowney has moved, as well. We’ve both moved to be put in favorable matchups. He’s getting those same looks, at least that’s what I see. And I wish we could’ve talked about it.”
After vouching to have Clowney return this season, Garrett says now he doesn’t know what Clowney will do. Because he wants “volunteers, not hostages.”
Where should Clowney play next? 👀 pic.twitter.com/0l31jW3Lyk
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 6, 2023
He also said if Clowney feels unappreciated, he should go somewhere he feels will give him the kind of love he’s looking for.
