Former number one overall pick Jadeveon Clowney's time with the Cleveland Browns appears to be over after he was banished from the team facility on Friday.
The pass rusher was sent home from practice by head coach Kevin Stefanski after giving an explosive interview suggesting his time with the franchise is over amid frustrations with defensive coordinator Joe Woods.
“Ninety-five per cent sure I won’t be back,” Clowney told Cleveland.com on Thursday. “But there’s still that five per cent. You never know what can happen.
“I just feel like I need to be around somebody that believes in me and my ability. (It can’t) just be me believing in myself. I believe in myself more than anybody.
“I don’t even think (Garrett) notices (the alleged preferential treatment). I ain’t trying to say it’s him. I try to get along with everybody I play with. Me and him don’t have a problem. It ain’t his fault. It’s just BS, and I don’t have time for it.
"(They have) got their own guys, and I ain’t one of them, so it’s time for me to get my exit slip.”
The Browns (7-9) play the Pittsburgh Steelers in their season finale on Sunday, having already been eliminated from playoff contention, and Clowney is set to sit out the last game of his contract at the order of his head coach.
Clowney, who was the first pick in the 2014 NFL draft for the Houston Texans, racked up nine sacks for the Browns last season, but this year has been much more difficult for him, getting to the quarterback just twice in 12 games.
However, the 29-year-old does not believe the dip in production is all his fault. According to Browns insider Mark Kay Cabot, Clowney's frustrations with Woods and the franchise stem from a feeling he is being undervalued in the gameplan, with favourable matchups afforded to 15-sack defensive end Myles Garrett, meaning the former South Carolina standout believes he is not getting a chance to shine with his contract expiring in March.
In his press conference, Stefanski declined to discuss Clowney's availability for Sunday's game and beyond, but he made clear his dissatisfaction with the player's actions.
"Nothing comes above the team," the Browns HC said. "Every day, you've got to make decisions that are best for the team.
"I've had a lot of conversations with a lot of guys. (Clowney is) somebody that I respect. He's a veteran, we've had conversations, yes, but I just don't think it's fair in this setting... I just think it's fair to our team that we keep those conversations internal."
