New NFL Rumors Reveal Jadeveon Clowney, Texans Contract Amid Browns Buzz After Cowboys Stint

Veteran defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is headed back to the team that selected him at the top of the 2014 NFL draft.

The Houston Texans and Clowney have agreed to a contract ahead of the 2026 season, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport.

Clowney visited the Cleveland Browns and spoke with a "few teams" before returning to the Texans, per Garafolo.

Clowney explained his decision to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle.

"I've grown up and learned the game a lot more since leaving," Clowney said, per Alexander. "I feel like I can help the younger guys. I've learned how to lead and what it takes to get to a Super Bowl. I feel like I can help this team."

He also noted this wasn't a decision driven by finances.

"I felt like they got a good team and I can help contribute. It was a really easy decision," Clowney said, per Alexander. "It wasn't about the money."

Clowney began his NFL career with the Texans by playing five seasons and three Pro Bowl campaigns for the franchise between 2014 and 2018.

He spent the next seven seasons bouncing between the Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Browns, Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers.

Clowney most recently spent last season with the Dallas Cowboys after signing with the team ahead of Week 3 of the 2025 campaign.

He ultimately made 13 regular-season appearances and six starts for the Cowboys, during which he recorded 8.5 sacks alongside 41 tackles (12 for loss) and 10 quarterback hits.

Clowney also registered four passes defended, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries during his lone season with the Cowboys.

The Cowboys fell short of the playoffs last season in part because of a largely ineffective defense. Team owner Jerry Jones said after the season the dismissal of former DC Matt Eberflus was "the first step" in an overhaul of that defense that ultimately included moving on from Clowney alongside acquiring former Green Bay Packers defensive Rashan Gary.

Clowney will now provide more depth in a defense that ranked first in yards allowed last season as the Texans look to take the next step following three straight divisional round losses.

Although he turned 33 in February and may be past his Pro Bowl days, Clowney still ranked top-25 in forced fumbles, stops and sacks last season, per Pro Football Focus.

After joining the Cowboys in the middle of last season, Clowney will hope the opportunity to spend most of training camp with the Texans will set him up for a productive 13th NFL campaign.