NFL Rumors: New York Jets Pursuing Edge Rusher Jadeveon Clowney

The New York Jets aren't done adding star power to their roster. According to Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz, the Jets are "highly motivated" to sign three-time Pro Bowler and former first-overall pick Jadeveon Clowney.

Following Jadeveon Clowney’s visit with the #Jets, he and the organization have remained in constant contact, with one source describing New York as “highly motivated” to try and secure a deal with Clowney.

I’m told both the #Panthers and #Ravens remain interested in him as… pic.twitter.com/dqE67JIPJg
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 23, 2024

Clowney, who turned 31 in February, is coming off a bounce-back season with the Baltimore Ravens. He tied a career-high with 9.5 sacks, and 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.

The Jets were a quality defense last year, finishing third in yards allowed (292.3 per game) and fourth in net yards per passing attempt allowed (5.0). Unfortunately, their leading pass rusher, Bryce Huff, signed with the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this month, leaving them with a glaring hole at edge rusher.

Clowney would fill a huge need for the Jets, but there's a reason he's played for five teams over the past six years: Consistency hasn't exactly been his 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.

Clowney is a bit of a boom-or-bust player at this point in his career, but he makes sense for a Jets team going all-in for quarterback Aaron Rodgers' age-41 season. The Jets have already made a series of high-risk, high-reward veteran signings this offseason, including left tackle Tyron Smith and wide receiver Mike Williams. Clowney should be an asset for the Jets so long as they don't overextend themselves to sign him. A deal like the one-year, $10 million contract he signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2022 following a strong season would make sense for both sides.