DE Jadeveon Clowney (12.31.21)
On his time in Cleveland:
“It has been going well. A great group of guys. Great teammates. I can’t complain about any of that. Great coaches. Everything is going well. Just having fun. I have been missing the game. I sat out last year. I got hurt. I am just happy to be back out there and still be at it this late in the season and healthier. Just trying to finish up strong here and leave it all on the field for this team.”
On if he would consider returning to the Browns next season and if he and his representatives have had contract discussions with the team:
“I would, but we have not talked about anything right now. Just finishing the season. We have a lot of guys on this team who are on a one-year deal, and they might be heading back or do not know what is going to happen in the future. Right now, it is just all about the next game, just trying to get through the season and doing what I can do for the team as of right now.”
On if it can be mentally challenging to compartmentalize the contract situation while still hoping to finish the 2021 season strong:
“It is definitely a mental thing because it is all about what is going to happen the following year setting up, and it is just going to lead you to making the playoffs, going to the Super Bowl, who is going to be on your team and so on. For me, it is just really about me being comfortable, being in a good situation and trying to win games. That is what it is all about – winning. I can play anywhere, I feel like. I have been in so many systems just so far in my career and having fun playing this game. I am just trying to see what is going to happen.”
On his experience being sick for two days before testing positive for COVID-19:
“The first two days, I was real sick. I could not hardly hold my head up. I was telling the trainers, ‘Man, there is something wrong with me. I do not know what is wrong.’ I was testing negative, and then the third day, I came in and tested again, and that is when I tested positive. My head was just hurting so bad. I had never felt anything like it. I was just like, ‘I do not know if I can play like this. I do not know what is going on. I am tired. I am worn out, no energy.’ I was just trying to really just wrap my head around what was happening to my body, and that is when I tested positive so I kind of figured it was from having COVID.”
On Monday night’s game potentially being the last home game of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger’s career:
“Over the years growing up, I have seen a lot of football of Ben Roethlisberger. Been a fan of Ben Roethlisberger forever playing this division or against him. A great defense he has played with. It is just he is a guy you know who you can win with. You saw him win and won a Super Bowl. Everybody has been trying to do that. That is one of the greatest accomplishments. It is hard to do in this league is to win Super Bowls. You look for the last decade or two on certain teams and to even win one and go. For me to see Ben go out on top – not even on top because he is not beating us – but for him to go out the way he did his career, it has been a great career for him. He won Super Bowls, which everybody sets out to do. He is going to be in the Hall of Fame, if you ask me.”
On the expected atmosphere at Heinz Field on Monday, including with it potentially being the last home game of Roethlisberger’s career:
“When I hear that, I just said I hope we send him out the right way – our way: win and get after him a lot. I am just going out there with that mindset – let’s send him out the right way. On the Browns defense’s side, we have been practicing that way all week, and that is what we are trying to intend to do this week.”
On missing the past two games while on the reserve/COVID-19 list after playing well in the previous games:
“It was very tough. Like you said, I felt like I was getting into a groove, and for me to have to go to a complete stop was frustrating because I felt like I could have helped my team in those games that they played. For me to not be a part of it, I felt bad about it. I was just like, ‘There is nothing I can do.’ Watching them play [Las Vegas], ‘I think I could have made that play’ or ‘I would have made it.’ It was just tough watching from home. ‘Oh, I could have made it or I would have done this.’ I am back now. I am just hoping to finish this season strong and hope I can just go out there, contribute and help the team.”
On if he optimistic the Browns can make the postseason and make a playoff run, despite needing some help to make the postseason:
“Oh, for sure. I believe in our defense. I think we have one of the best defenses in the league. We play well together. A great unit. We fly around. We just have to keep getting turnovers. That is what it is about in this league is getting the ball to the offense as much as possible and hope good things happen.”
On his current stamina and conditioning after recovering from COVID-19:
“When I got back, we ran the first day back. My lungs were kind of hot. You know how it is when you have been sitting on the couch, but I have been running this week, just trying to get back into it. I am feeling better today than I have I the past. I am just getting ready to go.”
On the key to the Browns defense’s success in recent weeks and if it was a matter of time so that the unit could understand how everyone played together:
“I think it was the understanding of each other and knowing who is behind us, who is beside us, what they are trying to do and figuring your teammates out. Like you said, they put this defense together this past year, and we all have been in and out throughout the season, but when you find out and start getting out there with the guys you are going to be out there with and communicate with, it makes the game a lot easier for you. You know the guys, and you know what they are going to do every play. I am with the D line and practicing with them every day, knowing those guys, we are starting to feed off of each other and know each other. We do not even have to say stuff. We just do stuff according to how we have been doing throughout the year. We are just trying to stay on that path, just keep going with my teammates and keep having fun out there.”
On what he would tell prospective free agents about the Browns:
“I would tell them go there and it not always about what is going on in the city but the guys you play with make a difference to me. It does not matter what is going on because I spend all of my time with my teammates. I just feel like they make the difference and make the time and the season go fast. It has been one of the fastest seasons because of the guys I play with. A great group of guys. A fun group. The coaching staff is laid back. Everything has been going pretty smooth. It has been a fast season, one of the fastest of my career. I have enjoyed my time and enjoyed being up here so far. I am just looking forward to seeing what happens next and for the future for me.”
On if Cleveland has been one of his favorite cities to play:
“I have enjoyed it. I am not going to say it is my favorite because and only because I have been to Houston, and I was drafted there, and that city welcomed me with open arms and I was there from the beginning, but this has been no fall off from that. A great fan base. A great city. Great teammates. I can’t complain about anything. It is just I was just drafted to Houston earlier, and they took me in like that.”
On DE Myles Garrett playing against the Packers with a groin injury:
“He showed me a lot going. He definitely has the heart of a lion. I think has been showing that throughout the season. The guy goes out there and competes play in and play out, going against two or three people and win. The team and the people around him depend on him. Of course, we depend on him. Him going out there to show he can play through adversity and injuries is very, very upside for him and the team. We all depend on Myles a lot throughout the year.”
On if he noticed the impact of Garrett’s injury:
“His get-off is probably one of the best in the league, if not the best. I did not see him getting off like he normally got off throughout the games. I hope we get it together for this week. He was saying he is feeling a lot better so I hope we get it going this week.”
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