BREAKING: Carolina Panthers Sign top-tier Outside linebacker on 2-year deal with contract worth $24M
The three-time Pro Bowl player is returning to play nearer to his home after an exceptional season. The Baltimore Ravens will not retain one of their top defensive players from the 2023 season. Instead, Jadeveon Clowney, a three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher, is finalizing a deal to join the Carolina Panthers.
#Panthers agree to terms with pass rusher Jadeveon Clowneyhttps://t.co/xVuaYJmTnV
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) March 27, 2024
As per various sources, Clowney is set to ink a two-year contract amounting to 24 million through bonuses. The Rock Hill, South Carolina native, renowned for his college career at the University of South Carolina and being the top pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, will now have the opportunity to reside and compete in proximity to his family. This aspect was crucial to him, especially after being separated from them during his sole season with the Ravens last year.
I spoke with Clowney many times last season and while he was happy and enjoyed the Ravens, he did share not being around his family all season (he moved to Baltimore alone) was a hard challenge for him.
Carolina offered a good payday and to be close with his loved ones. https://t.co/bEoyP4FrPe
— Kyle Phoenix (@KylePBarber) March 27, 2024
“We will only be half an hour away from home,” Clowney shared with Josina Anderson of CBS Sports. “It’s the location where we engage in all our community and foundation activities as we enter our 11th season. Additionally, my grandfather is aging, and after experiencing many losses in our family last year, being closer just feels like coming full circle.”
The Ravens showed interest in retaining Clowney, and he also visited the New York Jets. However, according to Clowney’s wife, Najah Clowney, as reported by Anderson, “the Panthers were the most persistent in their pursuit.”
Clowney was among the veteran free agent signings made by Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta after August, which proved to be a significant addition. The ten-year veteran delivered what could be considered the best season of his career, playing in every game for only the second time and equalling his personal record for sacks in a single season with 9.5 sacks.
T.J. Watt's fastest get-off on a sack this season, via @NextGenStats: 0.60 seconds
Jadeveon Clowney's get-off on his first sack of the season: 0.44 seconds
He's coming off the line in a hurry this season. Really impressive. pic.twitter.com/0ZTLlyH2yQ
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) September 19, 2023
By adding Clowney to their roster, the Panthers address the gap left by the departure of edge rusher Brian Burns to the New York Giants earlier in March. However, this move leaves the Ravens with a reduced pool of veteran edge defenders to consider for acquisition or re-signing.
Following Clowney’s decision to join Carolina and while Kyle Van Noy deliberates on his free agency choices, the Ravens’ outside linebackers currently consist of Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo, Tavius Robinson, Malik Harrison, and Malik Hamm.
