Former Eagles defensive end Chris Long recently weighed in on how a potential trade for Jadeveon Clowney might affect Philly’s locker room.
The trade rumors involving Jadeveon Clowney and the Philadelphia Eagles have been going on for what seems like months now. Fans discussed what they did or didn’t want to happen. The media’s talked about what they thought should or shouldn’t happen. Former Eagles defensive end Chris Long even joined the conversation recently. Everyone’s talked about just about everything except for one thing.
What does Jadeveon Clowney have to say? What are his thoughts?
Some things are beginning to come into focus. As most of you have probably heard by now, Clowney’s met with the Miami Dolphins, one of the teams that are interested in his services, but he’s fired his agent, per reports from Tom Pelliserro and Mike Garafolo.
He has yet to show up for the Houston Texans to sign his franchise tender, and part of the reason may be because, despite the fact that the Texans are entertaining trade offers from the Dolphins, Clowney may prefer the Philadelphia Eagles or Seattle Seahawks as possible landing spots.
Here are a few reports.
Dolphins are very interested in trading for Jadeveon Clowney, according to league sources, but have to get him interested in going there. Prefers Seahawks, Eagles as potential destinations. Fluid situation because he has leverage as unsigned franchise player
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1166531838720053248
#Texans franchised pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney has met in person with #Dolphins coach Brian Flores and other members of the organization’s brass, sources say. There has been speculation that Miami is a possible landing spot.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 27, 2019
Here’s something very important to consider. How would adding Clowney to the Eagles roster affect team chemistry? John McMullen, an Eagles Insider for 97.3 in Philadelphia believes adding Clowney to Philly’s roster would force Derek Barnett to take a back seat.
Derek Barnett is the one taking the back seat if #Eagles bring in Jadeveon Cowney not Brandon Graham. still believe it’s very unlikely. #Texans are pushing toward #Dolphins per league source
— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) August 27, 2019
Some of the beliefs surrounding Chris Long’s decision to retire revolve around the fact that the belief was that Long was informed that his snap count would decrease in 2019 in an attempt to get Derek Barnett more involved in the defensive gameplan.
While that’s never really been confirmed by any of the involved parties, the argument makes sense. Philly took Barnett with the 14th-overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. Long seems to agree with some of McMullen’s theory stating in a tweet of his own that ‘Someone would be taking a big-time backseat. Your first-round pick or the guy you just paid’.
With that being said, add the topic of a possible disruption of team chemistry to the argument about whether you trade for Clowney or not. That doesn’t mean the Eagles aren’t still considering it.
What it does mean is Clowney’s high cap number and the need to extend him via what may be an even higher cap number at the end of 2019’s season give life to the argument that this may be an idea Philly may want to avoid. This seems to be a long way from being over.