Key facts
- Clowney signed officially with the Houston Texans, the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2014.
- He is entering his 13th NFL season at age 33.
- Clowney said he had higher-paying offers from other teams but chose Houston to pursue a Super Bowl.
- He described his upbringing as growing up in a single-parent home with his father in jail at birth.
- Clowney said Texans fans cheered loudly for him during a training camp practice this week.
- Contract length and financial terms of the deal were not disclosed in the reports.
Jadeveon Clowney has officially signed with the Houston Texans, returning to the franchise that made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Speaking after finalizing the contract, the 33-year-old pass rusher said he chose Houston over other suitors who offered more money, prioritizing a chance to chase a championship with his original team as he enters his 13th NFL season.
What Clowney said about the decision
Clowney was direct about the financial trade-off, saying he could have signed elsewhere for a higher salary but wanted to return to Houston instead. He framed the move as a career-arc decision, noting that since he started his career with the Texans, he wanted to go back and try to win a Super Bowl there and see how the rest of his career unfolds.
How he describes himself now versus as a rookie
Clowney contrasted his current mindset with who he was when he entered the league at age 21. He described growing up in a single-parent household with his father incarcerated at the time of his birth, saying that background shaped him differently than many of his current teammates. He called himself a “big kid” when he first arrived in Houston, having never seen the city before, but said he now returns as a veteran who is older and smarter, hoping to pass along lessons to younger players on the roster.
Reaction to his return
Clowney said he was moved by the reception from Texans fans when he took the field for a training camp practice, describing loud cheers from supporters despite the years since he left the organization. He called the ongoing support from Houston fans a blessing and said it reinforced his decision to come back.
What is next
The sources do not specify contract terms, length, or dollar figures for Clowney’s new deal, nor do they detail his role for the upcoming season. His comments came during Houston’s training camp, with the 2026 season ahead as he begins his second stint with the Texans.
Sources
Featured photo: Ianmccor via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)