METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints certainly didn't give up on free-agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney without a fight, before he ultimately chose the Tennessee Titans on Saturday.
Coach Sean Payton confirmed Monday that the Saints explored the idea of a unique sign-and-trade deal with an unspecified team to help them fit Clowney's salary under the cap. However, the NFL said such a deal would not be allowed.
The idea was for another team to sign Clowney and pay his signing bonus -- then immediately trade Clowney and his remaining salary to the Saints in exchange for a draft pick.