Nov 12, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (24) runs on the sphere with a member of the U.S. Military throughout a pregame Veterans Day ceremony at M&T Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports activities
The Minnesota Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, April twenty fourth, remodeling their prime roster power right into a spot that wants a bit of love. And as a simple resolution, the membership ought to signal free-agent cross rusher Jadeveon Clowney, and name it good.
Minnesota can patch its EDGE3 drawback with out overthinking the market.
Free company is seven weeks previous, however Clowney stays there for the taking.
A Veteran Go Rusher Nonetheless Makes Sense for Brian Flores
Do the factor, and safe a veteran EDGE — is our formal advice.
Jadeveon Clowney watches from the sphere throughout second-half motion, monitoring the move of play as Dallas confronted Inexperienced Bay, Sep. 28, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The veteran edge defender remained engaged alongside the sideline, observing changes and situational tendencies in a aggressive NFC matchup late within the common season. Obligatory Credit score: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Pictures.
The OLB Group with out Greenard
That is the present OLB corps for defensive coordinator Brian Flores:
OLB1: Andrew Van GinkelOLB2: Dallas TurnerOLB3: Bo RichterOLB4: Tyler BattyOLB5: Chaz ChamblissOLB6: Cam’Ron StewartOLB7: Jordan BotelhoOLB8: Arden Walker
That’s actually sufficient human our bodies for the common season roster in 4 months, however after Batty and Chambliss, it’s unclear if Stewart, Botelho, or Walker will probably be part of the 53-man enjoyable.
Interim basic supervisor Rob Brzezinski ought to signal Clowney and plop him at OLB3.
Clowney’s Profession Manufacturing and Worth Tag
Right here’s Clowney’s profession resume:
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
For the 2025 Dallas Cowboys, Clowney performed 373 defensive snaps whereas nonetheless managing to financial institution 8.5 sacks. A beginning exterior linebacker, for instance, might play double that rely, which, in principle, would plop Clowney firmly over 15 sacks.
After all, Minnesota doesn’t want Clowney to start out — it has Turner and Van Ginkel for that — however the OLB3 manufacturing has the potential to be stellar. Clowney’s subsequent contract ought to pay him between $5 millon and $8 million per season. He earned about $5.5 million final 12 months.
Jadeveon Clowney (90) stands alongside the sideline throughout third-quarter play, monitoring defensive changes as Cleveland battled Carolina, Sep. 11, 2022, at Financial institution of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Browns edge rusher stayed energetic between sequence, speaking with teammates and coaches whereas making ready for the following defensive sequence. Obligatory Credit score: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Zone Protection‘s Trevor Ripley on the Clowney-to-MIN situation: “Clowney is a savvy vet. Despite being a one-year import, he offers far more skill and experience than Minnesota has at rotational edge. Behind Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel, the next two men up would likely be Tyler Batty and Bo Richter, who have combined for 24 tackles and 0 sacks in their short careers.”
“Batty or Richter could develop into impact players. Still, much like Tai Felton’s case, Batty and Richter still have a ways to go before Brian Flores trusts them with meaningful snaps, especially in the event of a serious injury to a starter. Some project that second-round pick Golday could slide down to edge at times. However, for the low, low price of a few million bucks, Clowney still feels more secure.”
Playoff-Contending Groups Want OLB Depth
The Eagles received the Greenard sweepstakes. Why did they need him? The reply is easy: the NFL’s finest groups habitually stockpile EDGE rushers to surge towards the playoffs and Tremendous Bowl. It’s simply the way in which it goes. In actual fact, the Vikings’ willingness to commerce Greenard is a bit of bizarre in that regard.
Nonetheless, there’s a world the place Minnesota threads the needle, unable to afford Greenard, however managing to land a semi-big fish like Clowney as a comfort. It will ease the ache of dropping Greenard, and reality be informed, Clowney in some way performs fewer snaps in 2026 however information 5.5 sacks.
Jadeveon Clowney (7) strikes via pregame warmups, loosening up forward of kickoff as Carolina ready to face New York, Aug. 17, 2024, at Financial institution of America Stadium in Charlotte. The linebacker labored via drills and positioning workout routines, specializing in readiness earlier than taking the sphere towards the Jets in a preseason matchup. Obligatory Credit score: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports activities.
In any other case, Flores would flip to Richter, Batty, or Stewart, hoping for the perfect from a participant who has by no means proven sustainable manufacturing.
The Non-Clowney Options
To be clear, Clowney isn’t the one EDGE possibility on the wire proper now. He’s most likely the perfect, nonetheless. After Clowney, the market seems to be like this:
Joey Bosa
Cameron Jordan
Von Miller
Kyle Van Noy
A.J. Epenesa
Marcus Davenport
Denico Autry
Derek Barnett
Haason Reddick
Dante Fowler Jr.
Leonard Floyd
Michael Danna
These gamers ought to begin to discover new properties in Could, as groups consider their pass-rushing depth after the draft. Many didn’t get all they needed on the EDGE spot; that occurs.
Clowney turned 33 this offseason and has performed for 5 completely different groups for the reason that begin of 2020. He is aware of the lay of the land within the NFL.
