After the Panthers released Jadeveon Clowney last May, the veteran pass rusher’s stay in free agency dragged into the regular season. He finally agreed to a one-year, $3.5MM deal with the Cowboys after Week 2, which enabled the 32-year-old to avoid the rigors of training camp.
The Cowboys’ 30th-ranked defense has struggled enough that coordinator Matt Eberflus is in serious jeopardy of losing his job, but Clowney has been a bright spot. The former No. 1 overall pick has recorded 35 tackles, 34 pressures, eight TFL, seven QB hits and 5.5 sacks in 12 games (five starts). Pro Football Focus ranks Clowney’s performance this year an impressive 20th among 112 qualifying edge rushers. He has offered strong work as a pass rusher and a run defender.
Clowney chipped in 1.5 sacks in the Cowboys’ win over the Commanders on Christmas Day. Afterward, he told Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com that he intends to play in 2026. He also has interest in continuing with the Cowboys.
“Oh yeah, [I’d re-sign in Dallas] if they’re willing to bring me back, but, yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m definitely gonna play,” Clowney said.
The nomadic Clowney, who began his career with the Texans in 2014, is on his seventh NFL team. Other than spending his first five years in Houston, where he earned three Pro Bowl nods, he hasn’t lasted more than two seasons with any of those clubs. Clowney has signed five one-year contracts since he first reached free agency in 2020. Three of those pacts – a 2020 deal with the Titans, a 2023 accord with the Ravens and his current agreement with the Cowboys – came together deep into the summer. Clowney missed camp in those instances, but that’s not something he’s aiming for in 2026.
“I got a lot left in the tank. I ain’t gonna go sit on my couch,” he said. “I’m gonna stay ready. Maybe sign a little bit earlier, and I’m trying to go to camp next year so I can get the rust off me and get going. I’m looking forward to it.”
Clowney’s willingness to sign early should only add to his appeal around the league. Although Clowney hasn’t lived up to the hype he received coming out of South Carolina, he has been productive at almost every NFL stop. He’ll head into Week 18 with 63.5 sacks on his resume.
Heck of an athlete. Cowboys should sign Clowney. He has provided plenty of valued.
It would be Cliwney’s luck to surge in a defense that figures to fundamentally change when they fire its coordinator.
Dallas is a similar position to what Carolina was in when they signed Clowney-they definitely need edge rush at both spots, and Clowney will be relied to be a short term but hopefully reliable vet to hold down one spot.
The Panthers ended up drafting two rushers to replace him, but I found it unusual that they didn’t want to hold on to Clowney as a vet to augment the young guys. If Dallas does draft edge pressure, and does sign Clowney, I believe that they’d hold onto him until/if the new pieces can establish themselves.
Wonder what the cost will be? As long as its a 1-2 year deal that would work. Cowboys have a bunch of holes to fill on defense.