The Cleveland Browns have received some bad news on one of their free agency targets.
The Cleveland Browns are heading into the 2026 NFL season as a team hoping to surpass the national media expectations for them.
At this point in time, no one is giving the Browns much of a chance to be a playoff contender in the AFC. Despite that fact, Andrew Berry and the front office have remained active looking to improve the roster.
Over the last week, rumors have connected Cleveland to a potential move for veteran free agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. Adding help to replace Myles Garrett, who the Browns traded to the Los Angeles Rams, would have helped the defense.
Unfortunately, Cleveland received some bad news regarding their interest in Clowney on Sunday afternoon.
According to a report from NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo, Clowney has agreed to sign with the Houston Texans. He will be heading back to the team his career began with when he was selected No. 1 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted that the Browns were hoping to finalize a deal with Clowney.
"Cleveland had hoped to sign Clowney. Now, he joins a star-studded edge rush group in Houston," Fowler wrote on X.
Clowney is coming off of a quality season in 2025 with the Dallas Cowboys. After signing with the Cowboys midseason, the former No. 1 overall pick showed that he can still be a very productive pass rusher in the NFL.
The 33-year-old defensive end played in 13 games for the Cowboys. He racked up 41 total tackles to go along with 8.5 sacks, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and four defended passes.
Plenty of other teams were connected as potential suitors for Clowney this offseason. The defending champion Seattle Seahawks were reportedly interested in him recently. Both the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers also had reported interest in signing him.
For Cleveland, the news will force the team to look in another direction. If the Browns truly want to add an impact pass rusher to their roster, they're going to have to get creative.
Adding a player like Clowney would have been a nice addition for the Cleveland defense. Despite the hope of getting something done with him, the Texans were able to swoop in and take him away from the Browns.
