5.5 sacks and 46 total tackles in 14 games, the Panthers defense ranked dead last in the NFL. They allowed over 400 yards per game and nearly 180 rushing yards per contest — unacceptable numbers at any level.
Clowney’s play was solid, but not transformational. He showed effort and durability, but the Panthers were clearly a team in transition, lacking identity and cohesion on both sides of the ball. Midway through the season, rumors began swirling that Carolina might shift into a full rebuild.
By May 2025, just one year into his contract, Clowney was released — a cap casualty and a casualty of Carolina’s philosophical shift toward youth and long-term planning.
Now 32 years old, Clowney once again enters free agency, but with a different context. He’s no longer the can’t-miss prospect or the mid-career enigma. He’s a battle-tested veteran with a track record of production and experience across multiple systems.
Sports Illustrated recently ranked him as the top available edge rusher on the market, citing his 2023 resurgence, consistent motor, and locker room presence. His age and injury history are concerns, but for teams with playoff aspirations and a need for rotational pass-rush help, Clowney is a logical target.
Possible landing spots include:
Detroit Lions – In need of veteran help opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
New York Jets – Robert Saleh could use a flexible, experienced edge rusher.
Dallas Cowboys – A team with Super Bowl aspirations looking for depth.
Kansas City Chiefs – A contender with a history of revitalizing veterans.
Jadeveon Clowney’s NFL journey has not followed a linear path. It’s been defined by peaks and valleys, expectations and reevaluations. Yet through it all, he’s carved out a decade-long career in one of the most physically demanding positions in professional sports.
He’s a three-time Pro Bowler, a former No. 1 pick, and a defender who, when healthy and motivated, can still disrupt an offensive game plan. For all the questions about what could have been, Clowney has quietly built a résumé that commands respect.
The next team that signs him may not be getting the next J.J. Watt — but they will be getting a tough, proven, and occasionally dominant player who still has something left in the tank.
As Jadeveon Clowney enters the next chapter of his NFL journey, one thing is certain: he remains one of the most compelling free agents on the market. His name still carries weight, his skills still translate, and his hunger to compete is undiminished.
Whether it’s a playoff contender looking for a veteran edge or a young team needing a mentor, Clowney’s journey is far from over. And if history is any indication, he may have one more impactful chapter left to write.