EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Cowboys defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was one of the lone bright spots in Sunday’s 34-17 loss to the New York Giants. He played very well.
Maybe a little too well.
Clowney is now heading toward free agency on a high note. He had a career-high three sacks on Sunday, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a batted pass and four tackles for loss.
“We need him. We want him,” Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said of Clowney and his future. “He goes out and makes a game like this and it’s like, ‘Damn bro, you’re making the price high.’”
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Clowney had 4.5 sacks over the last two games, finishing the year with 8.5 sacks. That would’ve earned him a major incentive if the second part of that agreement, a postseason berth for the Cowboys, was met. That’s something that will be on Clowney’s mind when the soon-to-be 33-year-old hits free agency this offseason.
It’s also one of the reasons Clowney said he signed with the Cowboys originally.
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“I was really hoping we would make the playoffs,” Clowney said. “That’s the biggest thing for me and my career. I just want to make the postseason and try to run for a Super Bowl. That’s what I’m looking for: a Super Bowl run and I’m going to continue to chase that before I get out of this league. I’ve got a few more runs in me. Hopefully I get there.”
We’ll see what market Clowney ultimately attracts in free agency. It should be bigger than the one ne had last season when he netted a one-year. $3.5 million deal from the Cowboys. Clowney has made it known that he wants to sign with a team earlier than he did this season. He even said he’s excited to go to training camp — a statement that’s contrary to the belief of many veterans.
Will it be for the Cowboys? It depends on the price, which might’ve been affected on Sunday.
“The type of guy he is, the type of player, leader, honestly, yeah. He’s somebody that I want around,” Prescott said. “Somebody that I think we need around.”
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