I havent commented much on this, because it is the business side of football, and the details are so opaque to fans, that we may as well be reading tea leaves.
But Clowney is in an interesting situation. He wants a ring, and he wants the money, and, despite the naysayers, he has the talent to pursue both. Realistically, the Hawks probably give him th best blend of both for the 2020 season, and that is why he will almost certainly be back.
He could go elsewhere for slightly more money, and a slightly lower chance of a ring. He could go elsewhere for a slightly higher chance of a ring, and slightly less, or similar, money. He simply isn't going to the Titans or the Browns, absent a monster contract. He might consider a little less money for a Chiefs or Ravens.
The biggest rub with Seattle is not this year's earnings. It's the fact that, in Seattle, he has no chance of generating the kind of stats that will land him a monster contract next year. With no other true star across from him, he is likely to draw the same kind of attention that opposing teams gave him last year.
I think he is doing the smart thing to hold out as long as possible to see if another contender loses a star player on a stud line. He would be better off playing for a little less if he is on a line that lets him shine, I just don't think that he will do that for a non-contender.