Jadeveon Clowney Contract Demands Sound Troubling for Seahawks

Jadeveon Clowney clearly enjoyed himself in his first season with the Seattle Seahawks, proving that he fits in perfectly with the team's tenacious culture.

The Seahawks would obviously love to retain the 27-year-old edge rusher, who will officially hit the open market come March, and it's not outlandish to think that both sides entered contract negotiations not long after their loss to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Round.

However, the extent of Clowney's demands might just be brash enough to dissuade Seattle from aggressively pursuing him. According to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, the three-time Pro Bowler is seeking a "market-setting" contract this offseason.

Uh-oh.

That demand becomes even more eye-opening when you analyze the salaries of the NFL's most expensive defenders: Aaron Donald makes an average of $22.5 million over six years, Khalil Mack averages $23.5 over six years, and DeMarcus Lawrence's contract with the Cowboys earns him $21 million per year for five years.

If our understanding of "market-setting" contract is accurate, it means that Clowney will seek the richest contract for a defensive player in league history, or something extremely close to it. The South Carolina product is a tremendous talent, but is he worth more to a team dollar for dollar than Donald or Mack?

With all due respect, absolutely not

The three-time Pro Bowler registered three sacks, four forced fumbles, and 13 quarterback hits in 13 games while combatting a core muscle injury. DeMarcus Lawrence was a significant letdown in Dallas in 2019, but his numbers were still more imposing than Clowney's.

Does the fact that neither Mack, Donald, or Lawrence hit free agency change the outlook on Clowney's worth? Perhaps, but his demands might see the Seahawks stuck between a rock and a hard place before long -- if they aren't there already.