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Top Free Agent Landing Spots For DE Jadeveon Clowney
May 29, 2026Ethan WoodieNFL Trade Rumors
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As the No. 1 overall pick in 2014 by the Texans, Jadeveon Clowney never quite lived up to that billing. He had some strong years in Houston but was never a star, leading to him being traded to the Seahawks in 2019. That move didn’t pan out for Seattle, and he’s been bouncing around the league ever since. Even though Clowney’s been operating in the mercenary stage of his career longer than you’d expect for a player with his pedigree, it’s led to a lot of personal success. Every year, he’s taken his time signing, picking a spot that gives him the money (and contract length) he wants before showing up and putting in the work. In particular, over the last three seasons, Clowney has played for the Ravens, Panthers and Cowboys in succession — and he’s enjoyed the best three-year stretch of his career. Clowney’s role at this point in his career is no mystery. He’s 33 years old and doesn’t enjoy the whole training camp routine, so he may wait to sign until closer to the start of the season (or even into the season). He’s not going to anchor a pass rush and probably won’t be the best player on your defensive line. Instead, he’ll be a consistent starter, a positive in run defense and tenacious getting after the quarterback. Clowney proved that last season in Dallas, when he tied with Chargers OLB Khalil Mack and Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto for 16th among qualifying edge rushers in PFF grade. The Cowboys have been pretty consistent, at least publicly, that they aren’t interested in bringing Clowney back and would rather turn the position over to their young guys (namely Donovan Ezeiruaku and Malachi Lawrence ) next to offseason trade acquisition Rashan Gary . So where does that leave Clowney? Over the last few seasons, he’s waffled between deals worth $10 million and those between $2.5 and $3.5 million. I’d expect something between $3-5 million, definitely a one-year deal, by a team in need of temporary pass rush help. Clowney, 33, is a former No. 1 overall pick of the Texans back in 2014. He was in the final year of his four-year, $22.272 million contract when the Texans picked up his fifth-year option, which paid him $12.306 million for the 2018 season. Houston franchised Clowney before trading him to the Seahawks at the start of the regular season in 2019. It took until September 2020 for him to sign a one-year deal worth up to $15 million with the Titans. Clowney signed with the Browns on one-year deals in 2021 and 2022, the second worth $11 million. He caught on with the Ravens in 2023 on another one-year deal before joining the Panthers on a two-year contract. However, Carolina released him after one season. He signed a one-year contract with the Cowboys worth $3.5 million that can be worth up to $6 million with incentives for the 2025 season. In 2025, Clowney appeared in 13 games for the Cowboys and recorded 41 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two recoveries and four pass defenses. We have him included in our Top 100 Available NFL Free Agents list. New England Patriots Pass rush was one of the few weak areas for the Patriots during their run to the Super Bowl last season. They had some turnover at the edge rusher position, but I don’t know if they got meaningfully better. Dre’Mont Jones replaced K’Lavon Chaisson, and New England spent a second-round pick on Gabe Jacas out of Illinois. Other than those moves, Harold Landry III is back, as is Bradyn Swinson , a fifth-round pick last year. Swinson played in just three games as a rooki…