NFL News: Clock Ticking on Clowney and Gould

It’s an issue that will surely come up during the upcoming collective bargaining negotiations between the NFL and NFLPA, but it’s still on the books for now. Seven days from now teams will no longer be able to negotiate long-term deals with players hit with the franchise tag, with the arbitrary deadline coming at 4 p.m. on July 15. Each player will play out the 2019 season on the tag or not play at all.

Who could be affected by this? The biggest name is obviously Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. Only two other players, San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould and Atlanta Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett have yet to reach long-term deals with their clubs.

The deadline for Jadeveon Clowney and the #Texans to work out a long-term deal is coming up. Here's the latest: https://t.co/60UMQJjbq5

— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) July 5, 2019

Clowney is the most interesting case here. He’s a good player and an NFL star, but he’s not irreplaceable. In his five years in the NFL, he’s never recorded double-digit sacks (though he’s hit nine and 9.5). But he is a consistent threat to enter the opponent’s backfield and has, in his three healthy seasons, never recorded fewer than 16 tackles for a loss.

Obviously the Texans would like to keep him, but they’re not interested in giving him DeMarcus Lawrence money. The most likely scenario for him is that Houston lets him play a year on the tag and lets him walk next season. Somebody will pay Clowney, but the Texans just may not be able to afford the deal for which he’s likely looking.

Texans first six opponents in 2019, OL rank last season, per @PFF:

Saints – 8th
Jags – 22nd
Chargers – 30th
Panthers – 17th
Falcons – 12th
Chiefs – 13th

Is Jadeveon Clowney sure he wants to hold out for the rest of the offseason?

— Matt Hammond (@MattHammondShow) July 8, 2019

Gould has no desire to remain a 49er and will probably not sign his tag at all. As a kicker, he’s not in any real physical decline danger to sit out a season like Le’Veon Bell did last year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It would be smart for San Francisco to cut its losses and trade Gould before training camp. I have a feeling the Chicago Bears would be very interested in overpaying for his services.

Robbie Gould addresses 'complicated situation' with 49ers https://t.co/X9rk6JUFVG

— Ashbury Heights (@AshburyH) July 6, 2019