Jadeveon Clowney and the Panthers have reached a two-year agreement.
The Carolina Panthers strengthened their pass rush by signing experienced edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney to a two-year contract on Wednesday. The deal is valued at $20 million initially but could potentially reach $24 million. Following an impressive 2023 season with the Baltimore Ravens, where Clowney revived his career and secured a multiyear contract in free agency, the former All-Pro demonstrated his prowess by playing in all 17 games, tallying 43 tackles, and matching his career-best with 9.5 sacks. He earned an impressive grade of 85.7 from Pro Football Focus for his performance throughout the year. According to ESPN, Clowney ranked fourth among edge rushers in pass rush win rate at 25 percent, placing him in esteemed company alongside Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett, and Will Anderson Jr.
Clowney’s resurgence in 2023 came after a challenging 2022 season with the Cleveland Browns, where he expressed dissatisfaction with his role before parting ways with the team. However, his tenure with the Ravens proved fruitful, as he exceeded expectations on a one-year, $2.5 million deal.
With the departure of key defensive players like Brian Burns, Frankie Luvu, and Yetur Gross-Matos, the Panthers were eager to bolster their pass rush. Although Clowney has never reached double-digit sacks in a single season, his consistent performance on the edge and effectiveness against the run make him a valuable addition. Despite being 31 years old and past his prime, Clowney still offers a reliable presence on the field.
Despite boasting a formidable defense in 2023, the Panthers struggled in the sack department, finishing last in the league with only 27 sacks, with just 2.5 coming from players who remained on the roster. The signings of Clowney and former Minnesota Vikings linebacker D.J. Wonnum aim to address this deficiency and help offset the loss of production from departed players.
