With the NFL draft firmly in the rear view, teams are looking ahead to roster moves for the 2025 season.
The Carolina Panthers are in year two of a rebuild under coach Dave Canales. They announced multiple moves on May 8, notably placing running back Jonathon Brooks on the PUP list – ending his season – and releasing edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.
Clowney signed with the Panthers in 2024 as a free agent and was one of the most productive players on defense for Carolina. He led the team in tackles for loss with nine and tied for the team lead with 5.5 sacks despite missing three games.
The Panthers are the sixth team Clowney’s played for in the last seven seasons. He had his final season with the Houston Texans in 2018 before stints with the Seattle Seahawks (2019), Tennessee Titans (2020), Cleveland Browns (2021-22) and Baltimore Ravens (2023) before signing with Carolina.
He’s entering his age-32 season but hasn’t seen a drop-off in production. Clowney’s played at least 12 games in each of the last four seasons and has 26 sacks in that span.
Carolina selected edge rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen with their Day 2 picks of the 2025 draft. Releasing Clowney means they’ll be relying on those rookies more than before.
Another team will likely come calling for Clowney’s services in 2025 given his production and pedigree as a former No. 1 overall draft pick. Here are five potential landing spots:
Jadeveon Clowney landing spots
Washington Commanders
The Commanders’ defense outperformed its talent in 2024 as the team made its first NFC championship game in decades. Washington spent in free agency and the draft to get upgrades at multiple levels of the defense but could use more reinforcements as it looks to build on a surprising 2024 season.
The Commanders didn’t use any draft picks at edge and are slated to start Dorance Armstrong and Deatrich Wise at that position at time of publishing. Both are in a similar physical mold to Clowney and he’d make for more depth at a potential weak spot for a team with playoff aspirations.
Detroit Lions
Detroit was hit hard by injuries on defense in 2024 during the season and lost coordinator Aaron Glenn after a loss to Washington in the playoffs. The Lions should get top edge rushers Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport back healthy after season-ending injuries last season.
Detroit is making another push for a championship in 2025 and spent their top draft pick on the interior defensive line by selecting Tyleik Williams in Round 1. They know the trenches lead the way on both sides of the ball so getting another veteran presence in the rotation could be a good safeguard against injury.
Like in Washington, Clowney fits the mold of a Lions edge rusher at 6-foot-5 and 266 pounds with a penchant for good run defense.
Baltimore Ravens
This one almost makes too much sense. There’s plenty of familiarity for the two parties as Clowney tied a career-high with 9.5 sacks with Baltimore in 2023. Baltimore spent a second-round pick at edge in the draft with Mike Green but that shouldn’t preclude them from looking for more depth in an ultra-competitive AFC.
Top conference foes Buffalo and Kansas City used the draft and free agent additions to bolster the defensive line both on the interior and at edge.
Clowney’s versatility against the run could be useful for Baltimore against both teams in the playoffs. If he’s looking for an elusive championship, there are few Super Bowl contenders ranked ahead of Baltimore.
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati fielded its worst defense by yards and points allowed since 2019 last year. That led to a change in coordinator as former Bengals defensive assistant Al Golden took over for Lou Anarumo, now in Indianapolis.
The Bengals spent their first-round pick on edge Shemar Stewart but he’s viewed as one of the more raw prospects at the position with elite athletic tools. He could use a veteran like Clowney in the building to learn from with similar size and athletic abilities.
Cincinnati has a championship-caliber offense and needs to turn the tide on defense to make the most of it. Clowney could at least be a rotational piece who sets the edge in run defense well and provides enough pass rush opposite reigning NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson.
New York Giants
Giants head coach Brian Daboll has more riding on the 2025 season than most coaches in the league. The same goes for general manager Joe Schoen.
New York’s quarterback options include Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, Tommy DeVito and first-round pick Jaxson Dart, who may need time adjusting to the NFL. None appear to be above-average options at this point of the offseason.
That means it will fall on the defense to carry the Giants to an improved or winning season in 2025. The team selected Abdul Carter in Round 1, the top edge rusher in the class, and signed multiple free agents along the defensive line.
For a team looking to make a push in 2025, Clowney could be a good rotational piece who helps raise the floor of the defense. That may be enough to help both Daboll and Schoen stick around for another year.