Panthers Discussing Jadeveon Clowney Trade

Jadeveon Clowney‘s future with the Panthers is in doubt. According to ESPN’s David Newton, the Panthers “had talks about trading” the veteran pass rusher prior to the draft. With the organization adding two edge rushers during yesterday’s portion of the draft, a trade still “remains an option.”

Carolina general manager Dan Morgan didn’t necessarily dismiss these reports when asked by reporters about Clowney’s spot on the team.

“We’re still working through the roster,” Morgan said. “We’re still talking through things. Obviously, we’re focused on the draft right now and what’s in front of us.”

Clowney inked a two-year deal with the Panthers last offseason, but it didn’t take long for the former first-overall pick to emerge in trade rumors. With the Panthers considered sellers at last year’s deadline, Clowney was mentioned as a trade candidate, although the team ended up hanging on to him.

After tying a career-high 9.5 sacks with the Ravens in 2023, Clowney finished his first season in Carolina with 5.5 sacks. He still has a season remaining on the two-year, $20MM deal he inked with the Panthers last offseason. The pass rusher is set to count $13.77MM against the cap in 2025. That doesn’t necessarily break the bank, but there may not be suitors lining up for a trade following Clowney’s underwhelming showing in his age-31 season.

At the very least, it’s hard to envision Clowney as a member of next year’s Panthers. The team added Texas A&M pass rusher Nic Scourton in the second round, and they later drafted Ole Miss defensive end Princely Umanmielen in the third. That duo joins a pass-rush corps that also features regular starter D.J. Wonnum, free agent acquisition Patrick Jones, and former third-round pick D.J. Johnson.