Jadeveon Clowney
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The Athletic's Matt Schneidman argued 3-time Pro Bowler Jadeveon Clowney could be a fit for the Green Bay Packers.
The Green Bay Packers made a big splash last summer to upgrade their pass rush with Micah Parsons. There isn’t another seismic move on the table for Green Bay to consider. But pundits are calling for Green Bay to add a potential big-name to the group.
The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman joined the crowd arguing in favor of that type of Packers move. On Tuesday, Schneidman named former All-Pro edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney a potential fit for Green Bay.
“After trading Rashan Gary and letting Kingsley Enagbare walk, Green Bay’s depth behind Micah Parsons consists of Lukas Van Ness, the 2023 first-round pick yet to truly break out, 2025 Day 3 picks Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver, and Brenton Cox Jr, who had four sacks in seven games in 2024 but missed the majority of last season with an injury,” Schneidman wrote. “If Parsons misses the first couple of games of the season, can that group hold down the fort?
“And even when Parsons is back, does Gutekunst trust the others to perform well enough for the Packers to be considered a legitimate Super Bowl contender?”
Clowney turned 33 years old in February. But he remains a quality starting edge rusher.
Last season with the Dallas Cowboys, he registered 8.5 sacks with 12 tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hits.He also had four pass defenses.
In 12 NFL seasons, Clowney has recorded 66.5 sacks with 120 tackles for loss. He has earned roughly $100.5 million.
Could Packers Target DE Jadeveon Clowney?
It’s important to note that before diving into his argument for Clowney landing with the Packers, Schneidman admitted Green Bay has likely completed its additions at edge rusher.
The Athletic insider seemed to throw out the idea in case general manager Brian Gutekunst found another veteran defensive lineman vital to Green Bay being a true contender next season.
As Schneidman detailed, the Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare departures have left the Packers with suspect depth behind Parsons. Green Bay has limited resources to add to that depth because of the Parsons trade last summer.
The Packers could add Clowney on a 1-year deal for relatively cheap. Spotrac projected the defensive end to be worth $5.7 million on a 1-year contract.
Clowney has reached at least 8.5 sacks in three of the past five seasons, including two of the last three. He posted 8.5 sacks in just 13 games for the Cowboys last season.
The Houston Texans drafted Clowney at No. 1 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. During his final three seasons with the Texans from 2016-18, he made the Pro Bowl every year.
Clowney also earned a second-team All-Pro nomination in 2016.
Since 2019, the ex-top pick has played for the Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers.
Other Potential Packers Edge Rushing Targets
If the Packers don’t feel comfortable with their edge rushing depth, then someone like Clowney becomes an absolute must.
While he’s not a long-term solution, the veteran can make an immediate impact.
“He is still a physically dominant player as a pass rusher and run defender,” wrote The Athletic’s Daniel Popper. “Clowney has played for six teams in the past seven seasons.
“He remains a viable plug-and-play starter on the edge for any defense looking for a one-year No. 2.”
Popper projected a much higher contract value for Clowney than Spotrac. But the Packers should still be able to afford it.
Popper predicted Clowney to ink a $12 million 1-year contract.
On Popper’s updated list of the top available NFL free agents, Clowney was the No. 2 edge rusher. The top defensive end on the market according to the Athletic is Joey Bosa.
Veterans Cameron Jordan and Leonard Floyd are still available as well.