Bengals Signing Jadeveon Would Help Hendrickson Worry

To some worrywarts, it doesn't appear that the Cincinnati Bengals and star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson are going to reach an agreement on a new contract any time soon. 

So, if you believe that …

The team could look for some help off the edge in free agency as a result.

Luckily, the Carolina Panthers just cut someone who could fill that role.

They announced Thursday that they were cutting former Pro Bowl edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney to free up money to spend on other positions. A team looking for help getting to the quarterback like the Bengals could make the most of that move.

Clowney may be 32 years old, but he has proven the past few seasons that his age does not define him when it comes to his play on the field.

Just two seasons ago with the Baltimore Ravens, Clowney finished with 9.5 sacks at 30 years old. He missed some time in 2024 with the Panthers, but he was still able to get 5.5 sacks and 46 total tackles.

Hendrickson was one of, if not the best edge rusher in the NFL in 2024 with a league-leading 17.5 sacks. Needless to say, it will not be easy to replace him, but a veteran presence like Clowney could be a good start.

The Bengals did draft an edge rusher in the 2025 NFL Draft in Shemar Stewart, but one rookie does not a good defensive line make. One thing that could help him out is having an older guy watching over him.

Former No. 1 overall pick Clowney may be well past his prime - and “unfulfilled potential” is the reason he seems to play with a different team almost every year - but that does not mean that he cannot make his impact felt on a team looking to contend like the Bengals.