Jadeveon Clowney, the veteran pass rusher, is returning to his roots by agreeing to terms on a deal with the Carolina Panthers, as officially announced by the team. The contract is a two-year agreement worth $20 million, with the potential to reach $24 million.
Amidst this free-agent cycle, Clowney drew interest from several NFL teams, including the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens, in addition to the Panthers. Following his visit with Carolina, he is now poised to sign a deal that brings him back to the NFC South.
For Clowney, this marks a homecoming, as he hails from Rock Hill and previously excelled at South Carolina, where he earned recognition as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2012. His No. 7 jersey is retired by the Gamecocks.
Joining the Panthers defense, Clowney fills a need for pass-rushing prowess, particularly after the departure of star linebacker Brian Burns to the New York Giants earlier in the month. Alongside Clowney, the Panthers have also added linebackers K’Lavon Chaisson and D.J. Wonnum to bolster their defensive lineup.
Clowney entered the NFL in 2014 as the first pick by the Houston Texans and spent five seasons with the franchise before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 2019. Since then, he has had stints with various teams, including the Titans (2020), Browns (2021-2022), and most recently the Baltimore Ravens (2023).
In the 2023 regular season, Clowney showcased his skills with the Ravens, matching his career-high of 9.5 sacks in 17 games (15 starts). He also contributed 43 tackles, 19 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, and five pass breakups during the season.