Free agent pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney has agreed to a contract with the Carolina Panthers, the crew introduced Wednesday.
Phrases weren’t disclosed however sources advised ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Clowney agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract that may be price as much as $24 million.
For Clowney, it is a homecoming. He’s a local of Rock Hill, South Carolina, about 25 minutes south of Charlotte the place he starred at South Pointe Excessive College. He additionally attended the College of South Carolina, about 90 minutes south of Charlotte.
Clowney was the highest choose of the 2014 draft by the Houston Texans.
For the Panthers, this fills an enormous want after they traded two-time Professional Bowl edge rusher Brian Burns to the New York Giants.
They signed D.J. Wonnum and Ok’Lavon Chaisson throughout free company, with Chaisson introduced in additional as a undertaking and Wonnum the projected starter reverse Burns. However neither of these gamers is a confirmed pass-rusher like Clowney.
Moreover the Panthers, Clowney obtained curiosity from the New York Jets, visiting the crew final week.
Clowney, 31, received his profession again on observe final 12 months, changing into one of many larger surprises on the Baltimore Ravens along with his cross rush and sturdiness. He proved he can nonetheless impression video games by attending to the quarterback with 9.5 sacks, which tied a profession excessive. Within the AFC Championship Recreation loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Clowney recorded a sack in serving to Baltimore shut out Patrick Mahomes within the second half.
The Ravens signed Clowney to a one-year, $2.5 million contract final 12 months on the ultimate day of coaching camp as a result of they wanted skilled depth at pass-rusher. He then earned $2.75 million in incentives by exceeding 9 sacks and collaborating in over 60% of Baltimore’s snaps on protection. In a profession full of accidents, Clowney performed in 19 video games for Baltimore final season (together with playoffs), which is barely the second time he is suited up for each recreation in a season.
Clowney was not closely pursued in free company final 12 months due to a tumultuous exit from the Cleveland Browns in 2022. He was dominated out of the ultimate regular-season recreation after he was quoted as saying the Browns had been extra nervous about getting particular person accolades for Myles Garrett than profitable video games. Clowney later stated these feedback had been by no means on the document.
Clowney is a three-time Professional Bowl participant who has totaled 363 tackles, 52.5 sacks and 15 compelled fumbles in 10 seasons. After spending his first 5 seasons with the Texans, he has performed for 4 groups in his final 5 seasons (the Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Browns and Ravens).
ESPN’s David Newton and Jamison Hensley contributed to this report.