The Houston Texans are exploring the possibility of trading Jadeveon Clowney with the star pass-rusher still refusing to sign his franchise tender, and they may be forced to look at the select few teams Clowney is open to playing for.
The Miami Dolphins have been viewed as a potential landing spot for Clowney, but Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reported on Tuesday that the former first overall pick would prefer to be sent to the Philadelphia Eagles or Seattle Seahawks.
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
Clowney is not ignoring the Dolphins altogether, however. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media notes that he met with Miami head coach Brian Flores and some of the team’s brass recently.
#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
Clowney, who reportedly fired his agent Bus Cook on Tuesday, essentially has a no-trade clause. He cannot be traded unless he signs his franchise tender, so he has the option of just refusing to sign it if the Texans agree to a trade with a team he doesn’t want to play for.
The fact that Clowney fired his agent would seemingly indicate he is unhappy with the way negotiations have been going, and that could have to do with him wanting to force his way to the destination of his choice. There were initially rumblings that his holdout would not carry into the regular season, but that is looking like less of a certainty.
