Jadeveon Clowney Drawing Interest

We are nearing the one-year anniversary of the Panthers releasing Clowney on May 8, 2025. After the Panthers cut ties with him, it took Clowney until mid-September to land in Dallas on a one-year, $3.5MM contract. Although the Cowboys’ defense ended up as one of the worst in the NFL, Clowney was a legitimate bright spot. Over 13 games (six starts) and 373 defensive snaps, Clowney recorded 41 tackles, 12 TFL, a team-high 8.5 sacks and four passes defensed. Along with Clowney’s solid traditional stats, he ranked as Pro Football Focus’ 16th-best edge defender out of 119 qualifiers.

As of late December, it looked as if the Cowboys were going to re-sign Clowney. However, plans changed after the team fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and replaced him with Christian Parker. It appears the Cowboys no longer regard Clowney as a fit in their defense. They have addressed their pass rush this offseason with the additions of Rashan Gary, whom they acquired from the Packers, and 23rd overall pick Malachi Lawrence.

Although the Panthers cut Clowney a year ago, a reunion with the South Carolina native might make sense heading into next season. Carolina made a major free agent splash when it signed former Dolphin and Eagle Jaelan Phillips to a four-year, $120MM pact, but it could arguably use even more pass-rushing help to join him, Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen. The Panthers finished last season with the league’s second-lowest pressure rate (16.5%) and third-fewest sacks (30).

Before his season in Carolina, Clowney had a one-year stop in Baltimore in 2023. He put up a career-high 9.5 sacks as a Raven, and Clowney expressed interest in a reunion earlier this spring. It is unknown whether the Ravens feel similarly, having signed Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $112MM deal and spent a second-rounder on Zion Young.

Clowney divided 2019-22 among Seattle, Tennessee and Cleveland. If a Seahawks reunion was ever under consideration, it may be off the table after Tuesday’s signing of veteran edge defender Dante Fowler. Meanwhile, with new head coach Robert Saleh at the helm, the Titans have made a couple of notable investments along the edge. They acquired Jermaine Johnson from the Jets and traded back into the first round to draft Keldric Faulk 30th overall. The Browns, on the other hand, have done little to bolster their pass rush this offseason. They had a deal in place with former Bill A.J. Epenesa, but it fell apart over a failed physical. The Browns could still use a capable complement to Myles Garrett, but it is unknown if Clowney is on their radar.

Clowney opened his career in Houston, where he played five seasons and earned all three of his Pro Bowl nods. Seven years since they traded Clowney to the Seahawks, the Texans are not in dire need of a pass rusher. They boast the all-world Will Anderson–Danielle Hunter tandem, though picking up Clowney as a reserve would boost an already ferocious defense. The Texans finished first in yards, second in points and seventh in sacks in 2025.

While Clowney is one of the league’s best unsigned players, he is not the only familiar pass rusher without a contract. Cameron Jordan, Von Miller and Joey Bosa are also among those looking for deals. They will be among the most intriguing players to watch in the post-draft wave of free agency.