Carolina Panthers Sign Edge Rusher Jadeveon Clowney

The Carolina Panthers aren't standing pat after a disastrous 2023 season. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Panthers have agreed to terms with three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher and former first-overall pick Jadeveon Clowney.

It’s a 2-year, $20M deal for Clowney, with a max value of $24M. https://t.co/MAqXY6alXO
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 27, 2024

Clowney, who turned 31 in February, is coming off a bounce-back season with the Baltimore Ravens, tying a career-high with 9.5 sacks. The Ravens finished the 2023 season with the fewest points allowed in the league (16.5 per game) and a league-best 4.7 net yards per passing attempt allowed.

Clowney is a bit of a boom-or-bust player at this point in his career, but he fits on a Panthers squad desperate for talent at edge rusher after trading Brian Burns to the New York Giants earlier this offseason. Unfortunately, consistency hasn't exactly been Clowney's calling card. Prior to his one-year deal in Baltimore, Clowney logged a mere 2.0 sacks with the Cleveland Browns over 12 games in 2022. He also logged a minuscule 3.0 sacks from 2019 to 2020 over 21 total appearances with the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans.

The Panthers need all the help they can get. They're coming off a disastrous 2023 season in which they finished with the league's worst record but lost out on the first overall pick due to the trade that landed them rookie quarterback Bryce Young. If the Panthers want to quell further criticism of that trade, they must achieve at least respectability in 2024. Clowney isn't a perfect player, but the Panthers need to do everything they can to eke out even marginal progress.