Joe Douglas’ desire to improve the Jets’ pedestrian pass rush prompted him to look into adding three-time Pro Bowler Jadeveon Clowney, who remains unsigned two weeks after the start of free agency.
Clowney, who’s looking for monster payday, would instantly improve Gregg Williams’ defense.
The Jets GM said he had spoken with Clowney’s agents.
“We’re going to do our due diligence on everybody that’s out there … especially at the edge rushing position,” Douglas said on a conference call Wednesday. “I’m not going to get into the specifics or the details of the conversations we’ve had.”
The Seahawks would like to retain Clowney, who played in pain after suffering a core-muscle injury during the second half of last season. Titans general manager Jon Robinson admitted that “we’ve have touched base with Clowney’s representation, and we’re kind of seeing and navigate where that one might be.”
Although there are fair concerns about Clowney’s health (specifically his knee), there’s little doubt that he would help the Jets. Douglas & Co. could use a disruptive force off the edge like Clowney, whose three sacks in Seattle last year don’t give his true value.
The Jets retained Jordan Jenkins, the team leader in sacks last season with eight, on a one-year deal after a potential opportunity in Baltimore didn’t come to fruition.
“I can tell you that we’re all very excited to get Jordan Jenkins back even though it was on a one-year deal,” Douglas said. “Love the production that he’s had in his first few years in the league (and) talk about one of the best locker room guys we have. So, I can’t tell you how excited we are to get Jordan. We’re going to look at multiple positions throughout the rest of free agency and the draft. If there’s an opportunity for us to upgrade, I think we have the flexibility to do it.”
The Jets wanted to sign former Eagles pass rusher Vinny Curry earlier in free agency, but couldn’t come to an agreement.
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