Jadeveon Clowney Clearly Should've Taken One-Year Prove-It Deal With Seahawks

Despite being one of the NFL's most dominant pass rushers, Jadeveon Clowney remains a free agent as the season rapidly approaches. Many have wondered why Clowney has lingered on the market for so long considering his talent, and we now have some answers.

After turning down multiple big money, short-term offers, Clowney is holding out for a contract that fits his requests. The issue is...he may not get it, and accepting a deal to return to Seattle for the short term would have been the better option instead.

According to 247 Sports, the Seahawks offered Clowney a one-year, $15 million deal. Many other teams have expressed interest in Clowney, including the Browns and Titans, but this offer represented Clowney's best yet. Regardless, it was turned down, with Clowney still seeking north of $20 million annually.

There is no question that Clowney deserves some significant money, but that doesn't jive with budgets across the league. The three-time Pro Bowler is coming off a bit of a down year in Seattle, meaning that he will have to take less than expected this year to boost his numbers and secure a significant, long-term contract in the 2021 offseason.

However, Clowney wants massive money now for production that does not match such a sum.

At this point in free agency, Clowney has likely missed the opportunity to earn a massive contract this offseason. It would be shocking to see him make any more than the Seahawks offered, and he may end up regretting his holdout when big offers stop coming his way.