Three-time Pro Bowler Jadeveon Clowney signed a two-year deal with the Carolina Panthers worth up to $20 million. He is coming off a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens, wherein he had 43 tackles, 9.5 sacks, four passes deflected, and two forced fumbles in 17 games.
Clowney will join a team that had the fewest sacks (27) last season. Worse yet, their top three pass rushers last season are already with other teams. Brian Burns led the way with eight sacks in 2023. However, they traded him to the New York Giants for second—and fifth-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Panthers and OLB Jadeveon Clowney have agreed to terms on a 2-year, $20M deal with a max value of $24M. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/5hOX0mZ837
— NFL (@NFL) March 27, 2024
Meanwhile, Frankie Luvu (5.5 sacks last season) signed a three-year, $36 million contract with the Washington Commanders. Linebacker Yetur Gross-Matos agreed to a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers.
Therefore, the Panthers will badly need Clowney’s ability to chase the quarterback. However, he hasn’t been consistent over his last few seasons. Before having 9.5 sacks with the Ravens, he only had two sacks in 12 games for the Cleveland Browns.
In 2021, he had nine sacks for the Browns, but before that, he played only eight games for the Tennessee Titans, finishing with zero sacks. Therefore, the Panthers hope they will get the Clowney who suited up for Baltimore last season, not the one that went through down years.
Joining Clowney in chasing the opposing quarterback for the Panthers are A’Shawn Robinson, Shy Tuttle, Derrick Brown, and D.J. Wonnum.
The Houston Texans selected Jadeveon Clowney first overall in the 2014 draft. In five seasons with the Texans, he became a three-time Pro Bowler and a 2016 Second Team All-Pro.
-Lance Fernandez