DE Jadeveon Clowney Hoped To Re-Sign With Cowboys

During an interview with NFL Network’s Jane Slater and Brian Baldinger, Clowney said he made contact with the Cowboys on multiple occasions on the topic of re-signing with them. Dallas’ preference was to evaluate other options before considering a reunion during training camp. Clowney wanted to work out a deal much earlier, adding he was “shocked” by the Cowboys’ decision to let him (eventually) depart in free agency.

During the 2025 campaign, Dallas’ defense struggled mightily in a number of areas. Clowney was an individual bright spot, though, leading the team with 8.5 sacks. The former No. 1 pick also managed 41 total stops and 12 tackles for loss. The Cowboys entered the 2026 offseason in need of new contributors to their post-Micah Parsons EDGE group, and they took multiple routes to fill the vacancies. Most notably, Dallas traded for Rashan Gary in March before using a first-round pick on Malachi Lawrence one month later.

While those two are set to handle a regular role, retaining Clowney would have given new Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker another option to use as a consistent presence against the run in particular. Clowney, 33, played on a one-year deal worth $3.5MM with Dallas in 2025. His Texans return will come about via a pact of the same length, albeit one worth $5.5MM in base value with the potential to top out at $8MM.

Finances were no doubt a key factor in the Cowboys’ thinking on the Clowney front. The three-time Pro Bowler also surely weighed the compensation angle as he fielded interest from multiple teams. During the interview, he stated a desire to avoid moving a long distance following a season spent in Texas. Clowney also named joining a contender as a priority.

The Texans have reached the divisional round of the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, and they boast a pass rush group led by Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter. Clowney should manage to deliver in a rotational role alongside those two in 2026. That will include a Week 4 contest against the Cowboys.