The New York Jets were hoping to sign pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, but the 31-year-old chose to join the Carolina Panthers.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport posted to X reported on Wednesday, March 27 that Clowney was joining the Panthers. He also mentioned that the contract would be for two years and worth up to $24 million.
It’s a 2-year, $20M deal for Clowney, with a max value of $24M. https://t.co/MAqXY6alXO
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 27, 2024
The Jets had previously been considered “highly motivated” to sign Clowney after the two sides met this offseason. However, the three-time Pro Bowler has decided to join the Panthers, who had recently traded away their star pass rusher Brian Burns, as part of their rebuilding efforts.
After missing out on Clowney, the Jets will be eager to find another pass rusher this offseason, either through free agency or the 2024 NFL Draft.
Jadeveon Clowney Is Still a Dominant Player
Despite not staying with one team for more than two seasons recently, Clowney continues to demonstrate why he's one of the top edge defenders in the league.
Clowney is coming off one of his best seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. He played in all 17 games, achieving a career high with 9.5 sacks, along with 43 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and five pass breakups.
The advanced metrics also illustrate Clowney's exceptional performance in 2023. As per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), the 31-year-old recorded a career-high 78 pressures with an overall grade of 82.9. This was his highest grade since 2018, when he was a Pro Bowler with the Houston Texans.
Despite his success, Clowney continues to prefer short-term deals to keep his options open. Since being traded by the Texans to the Seattle Seahawks in 2019, Clowney has moved between teams on one-year deals, although he completed two full seasons with the Cleveland Browns.
Now, Clowney has granted himself a slightly longer contract with the Panthers, and Carolina hopes he can maintain a high level of play over the next two seasons.
A Tough Look For Joe Douglas and Aaron Rodgers
Clowney choosing the Panthers over the Jets does not reflect well on general manager Joe Douglas or quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Douglas spoke positively about Clowney during league meetings in Orlando, expressing that the two sides had a productive visit when the three-time Pro Bowler visited the team. However, the visit seemed to have limited impact on the free agent, who decided to accept a two-year deal with the Panthers instead.
It might be even more disheartening for Rodgers, particularly on social media. The accomplished quarterback was vocal about his recruiting efforts during his time in Green Bay, stating that star players came to the Packers to play with him. This remark has faced widespread criticism since Rodgers made it, and losing out on a star like Clowney will not help him.
The Jets have still brought in top free agents, such as Mike Williams and Tyron Smith. Nonetheless, fans who were optimistic about signing a top pass rusher like Clowney will be disappointed that the Jets failed to reach an agreement with him.
