NFL News: When and Where Will Clowney Sign?

As every day passes, players, coaches, and fans remain optimistic that football will be able to resume as normal when the season starts up in a couple of months. Despite the fact they are in their offseason, there is still plenty of news from around the league. Let’s check out some of the stories from this last week in the NFL.
Arguably the best free agent still available on the board doesn’t seem to be in a big rush to get a deal done. Jadeveon Clowney, the 27-year-old defensive end, probably came into the offseason expecting a massive contract, but one has yet to surface, at least from a team that he wants.
According to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, Clowney did have a good offer from the Cleveland Browns, but ultimately turned it down. For their part, it appears that the Browns are still interested in Clowney, but the feeling may not be mutual.
Last season with Seattle, Clowney played in 13 games recording 31 tackles and 3 sacks. He also forced 4 fumbles and recovered 2 (one of them was for a touchdown). While a deal may not be in the imminent future, the clock is ticking as the season approaches.
Everson Griffen also remains on the market, a contender to Clowney for the top free agent on the board.
Could JJ Watt Play Elsewhere After His Current Contract?
The Houston Texans have had quite an interesting offseason. In one of the most mind-blowing trades of his tenure, Bill O’Brien traded DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals and netted an aging running back in David Johnson in return. Granted, the Texans did fill some spots at wide receiver by trading for Brandin Cooks and signing Randall Cobb.
They also signed offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil to a massive three-year, $66 million extension, and there have been reports that they have also had preliminary discussions about an extension with star quarterback DeShaun Watson.
Still, it is curious that there has not been much traction on signing Watt long term, who has two years left on his deal. For his part, Watt says that it is not the right timing, and he could be hoping for a monster rebound year this year, which would put him in an even better spot to negotiate.
Last season, at age 30, Watt played in just 8 games accruing 24 tackles and 4 sacks. Ultimately, it would be hard to imagine Watt in a different uniform, and it may just be a matter of timing before an extension is done, but then again, the same could have been said about Hopkins. Only time will tell.
New Adjustment To IR Rule
This week, team owners voted on an adjustment to the injured reserve rule. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com, the league has decided to up the number of players that can return from injured reserve each year from two to three players.
The timing remains the same. In other words, injured reserve players need to wait eight weeks (six on the actual injured reserve while two of practicing) before they can return. With the league likely to expand the season in the near future, this is probably a logical rule and one that will stay.