Carolina Panthers linebacker Jadeveon Clowney participates in pregame warmups earlier than a preseason contest in opposition to the New York Jets at Financial institution of America Stadium. The veteran cross rusher took the sphere on Aug. 17, 2024, in Charlotte as Carolina ready for exhibition motion and evaluated its protection forward of the common season. Obligatory Credit score: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports activities
Each NFC North crew has a roster want for EDGE rusher Jadeveon Clowney — that’s the phrase this week from NFL insider Jason La Canfora. Free company started in March, and Clowney curiously has not signed wherever.
Per La Canfora, the Inexperienced Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears particularly make sense for the veteran defender.
The Division Has A number of Openings at EDGE
Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney celebrates after recovering a fumble in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Monetary Subject. On Dec. 23, 2018, Clowney helped gasoline Houston’s protection throughout a late-season matchup, showcasing the disruptive playmaking means that made him one of many NFL’s most recognizable cross rushers. Obligatory Credit score: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports activities.
La Canfora: Maintain an Eye on Clowney to the NFC North
La Canfora spilled the beans final week: “Every team in the NFC North, for instance, is lacking a defensive player in the mould of Clowney, and it would not surprise league execs if he ended up with Chicago. Detroit or Green Bay, in particular.”
“Clowney is in no hurry to sign anywhere, according to sources with knowledge of the situation, and at this stage of his career, even training camp, or a full training camp, is not a prerequisite for him. One executive told SportsBoom he has a hunch that Clowney ends up with the Packers.”
At this stage of free company, Clowney will probably signal a deal price $8 million or so.
La Canfora added, “Green Bay star pass rusher Micah Parsons is going to miss upwards of half the season returning from surgery. Over the last three seasons, Clowney has had a top pressure rate among all NFL edge defenders age 30 or over (nearly 16%), and he has always been a strong run defender with long arms and core strength.”
“It wouldn’t be a surprise at all at this stage for him to land with a playoff team.”
The Packers’ Match
Right here’s what the Packers are taking a look at for EDGE defenders this season:
Micah Parsons (in all probability out there midseason)
Lukas Van Ness
Barryn Sorrell
Dani Dennis-Sutton
Brenton Cox Jr.
Arron Mosby
Nyjalik Kelly
Dante Barnett
With Parsons, this group is simply superb — there aren’t many worries when Parsons can create a lot havoc. With out him, although, for an unknown variety of weeks, the outlook will get sketchy.
It’s why including Clowney makes a lot sense for Matt LaFleur’s crew. Clowney can mainly begin till Parsons returns after which get vital OLB motion thereafter.
For context, these are Clowney’s profession numbers:
2025: 8.5 Sacks | 12 TFL | 10 QB Hits2024: 5.5 Sacks | 9 TFL | 11 QB Hits2023: 9.5 Sacks | 9 TFL | 19 QB Hits2022: 2.0 Sacks | 4 TFL | 4 QB Hits2021: 9.0 Sacks | 11 TFL | 19 QB Hits2020: 0.0 Sacks | 4 TFL | 6 QB Hits2019: 3.0 Sacks | 7 TFL | 13 QB Hits2018: 9.0 Sacks | 16 TFL | 21 QB Hits2017: 9.5 Sacks | 21 TFL | 21 QB Hits2016: 6.0 Sacks | 16 TFL | 17 QB Hits2015: 4.5 Sacks | 8 TFL | 8 QB Hits2014: 0.0 Sacks | 3 TFL | 0 QB Hits
Bears and Lions
In Chicago, right here’s the defensive finish setup:
Montez Sweat
Austin Booker
Dayo Odeyingbo
Daniel Hardy
Shemar Turner
Jamree Kromah
Jeremiah Martin
Jonathan Garvin
Clowney would slide someplace between Booker and Odeyingbo.
Cleveland Browns defensive finish Jadeveon Clowney provides a thumbs up throughout a sport in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Financial institution Stadium. On Nov. 28, 2021, Clowney contributed to Cleveland’s cross rush whereas persevering with his veteran profession within the AFC North. His presence added expertise and physicality to the Browns’ protection. Obligatory Credit score: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Pictures.
In Detroit:
Aidan Hutchinson
Derrick Moore
D.J. Wonnum
Payton Turner
Ahmed Hassanein
Tyre Martin
Anthony Lucas
Tyler Lacy
Eric O’Neill
Right here, Clowney would battle for the OLB2 place in opposition to Moore. It’s true — each NFC North membership wants a bit piece of Clowney and his veteran expertise + manufacturing.
What in regards to the Vikings?
Earlier than the draft, the Minnesota Vikings’ exterior linebacker room appeared strong. Followers appreciated the depth, and the highest of the depth chart, that includes Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner, impressed confidence.
Nevertheless, Greenard’s commerce to the Philadelphia Eagles rapidly altered the outlook. Minnesota’s present exterior linebacker roster contains:
Andrew Van Ginkel
Dallas Turner
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
Bo Richter
Tyler Batty
Chaz Chambliss
Cam’Ron Stewart
Arden Walker
Whereas this group gives sufficient names to fill a depth chart with the common season 11.5 weeks away, the vital query is whether or not there’s sufficient confirmed expertise after the highest two.
Van Ginkel and Turner supply a reliable prime two. Past them, the scenario turns into much less clear. Ingram-Dawkins, Richter, Batty, and Chambliss present potential, however the Vikings want to find out if any are able to step into the essential OLB3 function in Brian Flores‘ high-expectation protection — a place that’s removed from a throwaway.
Carolina Panthers linebacker Jadeveon Clowney sacks Kansas Metropolis quarterback Patrick Mahomes throughout second-quarter motion at Financial institution of America Stadium. On Nov. 24, 2024, Clowney reached the Chiefs’ passer on certainly one of Carolina’s greatest defensive performs of the afternoon. The veteran edge defender continued displaying his trademark pass-rushing means. Obligatory Credit score: Bob Donnan-Imagn Pictures.
The Vikings might additionally think about rookie linebacker Jake Golday as an EDGE defender as a hybrid inside-outside linebacker. He would supply one other defensive possibility, notably if Flores seeks versatility over a standard reserve cross rusher.
In the end, Greenard’s departure reworked the room from “stacked” to a scenario price monitoring. Minnesota has ample gamers; now, they want ample certainty.
Clowney’s providers might immediate an NFC North arms race.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
