The Jadeveon Clowney free agency sweepstakes ended with the former South Carolina standout signing with the Tennessee Titans. A new report reveals that the New Orleans Saints did not have the cash to match Tennessee’s offer, but still tried hard to land the former No. 1 pick.

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, citing sources, share that the Saints tried compete with Tennessee’s deal for $12 million (plus $3 million in incentives) by finding a sign-and-trade partner that could take the salary cap hit. The report refers to a “Team X” that was unconfirmed but believed to be the Cleveland Browns:

The sides discussed parameters of a deal in which Team X would’ve signed Clowney to a one-year, $15 million contract and paid him a $5 million signing bonus. Then, Team X would’ve immediately traded Clowney to the Saints, who would’ve sent Team X a second-round draft pick, as well as a player to take additional salary off New Orleans’ books. The Saints would’ve paid Clowney’s remaining $10 million salary.

Just one problem: The teams got word late Saturday the NFL was unlikely to approve such a deal.

Clowney’s personal chef shared a photo with New Orleans coach Sean Payton on Saturday via her Instagram account. Depending on the way the 2020 NFL season plays out, Clowney and the Saints may be an entertaining “what might have been.”