Jadeveon Clowney only had one goal in mind when he entered the 2021 offseason as one of the top players available in free agency.
Clowney, an eight-year veteran, wanted to win. He was searching for his fourth team in as many years, and he wanted to take his time finding the right fit. Injuries and preseason trades have sent Clowney, who totaled 29 sacks in his first five years of the NFL but just three sacks in the last two seasons, on a roller coaster of career destinations, and he wasn't going to rush his decision.
On Wednesday, nearly one month after free agency opened, Clowney's ride officially came to a stop.
He chose the Cleveland Browns, who made it clear to him in two visits to Berea they could help him achieve what he wanted most from his next team.
"They're definitely a winning team," Clowney said Wednesday in his introductory press conference. "(Winning) brings out the best in everybody on the team, and I think this staff tries to do that. Winning is definitely going to do that."
Clowney, the first overall pick of the 2014 draft, paid two visits to the team headquarters before officially inking his new contract, but he knew almost instantly what the Browns were trying to build in 2021.
The 2020 record, 11-5, suggests they're ready for another run to the playoffs. Clowney knew that already, but in meetings with his future coaches and staff members, he felt as though they all were on the same plan on how to get there.
"I think it was pretty laid back and straightforward," Clowney said. "The coaching staff was pretty laid back and I felt like they knew what they were doing, where they were going and where the organization was standing. They know where to get where they want to go, and that was something I wanted to be a part of."
Now, he's officially a part of it — and firmly entrenched with a heavy role in a revamped defense.
Clowney, a three-time Pro Bowler, became the sixth defensive free-agent signing the Browns have made this offseason and joins a defensive end room already anchored with an All-Pro in Myles Garrett and 2017 first-round pick Takkarist McKinley. All three players could see a considerable amount of snaps in 2021 and turn Cleveland's defensive line into one of the best in the league.
Garrett, in particular, was an intriguing teammate for Clowney, who believes his presence on the other end of the line will give him easy access to the backfield.
Clowney admitted he'd been frustrated by opponents double-teaming him in recent seasons, but with Garrett on the other side, opposing offenses will have to make a decision each play about which rusher requires an extra blocker.
That won't be an easy decision to make.
"I've been getting double-teamed an awful lot in this league," Clowney said. "So I'm looking forward to playing with someone dominant on the other side who can draw a double team and maybe make me go one-on-one."
But the defensive line won't be the only position group loaded with talent. The five other free-agent acquisitions the Browns finalized for this offseason will likely provide a significant upgrade to a defense that finished 21st in the league last season. S John Johnson III and CB Troy Hill are durable, consistent playmakers for the secondary while LB Anthony Walker, DT Malik Jackson and McKinley are veteran forces for the front seven.
Clowney was the next piece of the offseason puzzle, which will be even more complete following the 2021 NFL draft — where the Browns currently hold nine picks.
"I just feel like we've got to play as one unit and get to know each other," Clowney said. "We have a lot of new pieces, and we have to have a feel for each other. We know how we have to play, and that will come during training camp when we'll all be together."
The group already looked special before Clowney's addition, which is why he wanted to pick Cleveland as his next home. The Browns' offseason moves have propelled them even higher as one of the most talent-filled teams in the league, and Clowney wanted to be part of it.
With Clowney, the Browns can meet their goal of getting back to the playoffs.
With the Browns, Clowney can meet his goal of joining a team poised to win plenty of games.
"It's a great feeling coming to a team that's already on the 'up,'" Clowney said. "Hopefully, we can go on that winning train, and everybody just wants to go out, dominate and make plays."
Check out photos of Jadeveon Clowney
Jadeveon Clowney signs his contract on April 14, 2021 at the Berea Facility
Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney talks to the media after a victory over the Oakland Raiders in an AFC Wild Card NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) rushes during a regular season Week 8 NFL football game between the Miami Dolphins and the Houston Texans on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, in Houston. The Texans beat the Dolphins 42-23. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) is introduced prior to an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney talks with the media following an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2013, file photo, South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney looks to the sidelines between plays in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State in Columbia, S.C. Clowney finished last season with 11 1/2 tackles for loss and three sacks after getting 23 1/2 and 13 in 2012. He is a top prospect in the upcoming NFL draft. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt, File)
South Carolina football player Jadeveon Clowney arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, at Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Jadeveon Clowney signs his contract on April 14, 2021 at the Berea Facility
South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) celebrates with fans after defeating Clemson 31-17 in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney smiles as he sits on the bench during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) lines up against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) rushes against Jacksonville Jaguars center Brandon Linder (65) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Jadeveon Clowney, the Houston Texans No. 1 overall draft pick, holds up his new jersey and jokes about where to look during an NFL football press conference Friday, May 9, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)
Jadeveon Clowney on April 14, 2021 at the Berea Facility
FILE - In this July 16, 2013 file photo, South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney talks with reporters during the Southeastern Conference football media days in Hoover, Ala. For the next four months, you likely won't be able to escape notice of All-American defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)
South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, center, talks during South Carolina's pro day in Columbia, S.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2014. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)
South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) walks off the field after an NCAA college football game against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013. South Carolina won 52-7. (AP Photo/David Quinn)
Jadeveon Clowney signs his contract on April 14, 2021 at the Berea Facility
South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) rushes in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013 in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
NFL player Jadeveon Clowney accepts the award for best play at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)
Jadeveon Clowney signs his contract on April 14, 2021 at the Berea Facility
Houston Texans' Jadeveon Clowney (90) runs on to the field before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans' Jadeveon Clowney warms up before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Houston Texans' Jadeveon Clowney runs on the field before an NFL preseason football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Jadeveon Clowney signs his contract on April 14, 2021 at the Berea Facility
Houston Texans' Jadeveon Clowney (90) celebrates after he sacked Atlanta Falcons' Matt Ryan during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)
Jadeveon Clowney, from South Carolina, walks on stage for a group photo with fellow draft prospects before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, May 8, 2014, at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Jadeveon Clowney, center, from South Carolina, walks off stage after standing for a group photo with fellow draft prospects before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, May 8, 2014, at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
