The Carolina Panthers have successfully secured the services of Jadeveon Clowney, a standout pass rusher coveted in the free agent market. Hailing from Rock Hill, South Carolina, Clowney, a three-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro defender, has returned to his roots by signing with his hometown team, the Panthers, as announced on Wednesday.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Clowney agreed to a lucrative two-year deal worth up to $24 million. His arrival bolsters the Panthers’ pass rush, which faced challenges during the initial stages of free agency but has since been steadily reinforced by the efforts of general manager Dan Morgan and the team’s front office.
In a short span, the Panthers have also acquired DJ Wonnum, formerly of the Vikings, alongside Clowney, aiming to offset the departures of top sack leaders from the previous season, including Brian Burns and Frankie Luvu.
Notably, the Panthers’ defense struggled in 2023, recording a league-worst 27 sacks, with the majority of those contributions coming from players no longer on the roster in 2024. Despite being 31 years old, Clowney is coming off a stellar season with the Baltimore Ravens, where he matched his career-best with 9.5 sacks in 17 games, demonstrating his enduring impact.
A graduate of South Pointe High School, Clowney is a prominent figure from Rock Hill, a town renowned for its football talent, earning it the moniker “Football City, USA.” Notably, Clowney joins fellow South Pointe Stallion and cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who also plays for the Panthers since the middle of the 2021 season.
▪ As a result, the Carolina Panthers’ pass-rushing strategy in the 3-4 defensive scheme led by defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero will now showcase two players deeply rooted in South Carolina. Clowney, a native of the state, attained legendary status as a South Carolina Gamecock during his time in Columbia, with his memorable hit leaving a lasting impact on the state’s sports legacy. Similarly, Wonnum, expected to line up opposite Clowney, also has connections to the Gamecocks. (Furthermore, standout cornerback Jaycee Horn also flourished at USC.)
▪ This decision represents a departure from Carolina’s usual approach in this free agency period. Typically, the Panthers have followed a straightforward strategy: sign players under 30 years old and/or those with prior experience under the defensive coaching staff. For example, defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson spent two seasons with Evero in Los Angeles, while inside linebacker Josey Jewell played under Evero in Denver. However, Clowney’s signing deviates from this pattern—he’s in his 30s and hasn’t previously worked with Evero—indicating that his exceptional talent compelled the Panthers to make an exception despite his differing profile from other free agent acquisitions.
▪ Additionally, this marks Clowney’s first multi-year contract since his rookie deal with Houston. In 2024, as he joins his sixth professional team in 11 seasons, Clowney will depart from the trend of signing one-year deals that began with his time at the Seattle Seahawks in 2019.
