So how does the Dallas Cowboys hosting veteran defensive end Jadeveon Clowney on a visit Wednesday at the Star in Frisco on Wednesday help take the sting off the Micah Parsons trade?
Remember in the wake of the Parsons decision when Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hyped the acquisition of two first-round picks and how they could turn into five of six picks, he also tried to emphasize the team was trying to win now and in the future.
The presence of defensive tackle Kenny Clark, who came over in the trade with the Green Bay Packers, was about winning now. And so is the potential addition of Clowney.
Clowney, 32, a three-time Pro Bowler, is an elite run defender and experienced pass rusher who will would potentially add to a young group of pass rushers and help soften the blow of the Parsons’ departure as well as that of veteran defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence who signed with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency.
Clowney has played for six different franchise in 11 seasons since the Houston Texans made him the first overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft out of South Carolina.
He has played with the Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and last season with Carolina Panthers.
He had 5.5 sacks in Carolina last season and has 58 career sacks in 140 games career games.
Clowney has never quite lived to the status as a No. 1 overall pick but he has been solid and very productive throughout his NFL career.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer has experience with him as they were both in Seattle in 2019 when he was the offensive coordinator.
The Panthers released Clowney in May and he has yet to find a new team.
The Cowboys brought him in for a visit to check the tires and see what he has left to potentially add production to an impressive group of ends that includes Sam Williams, Dante Fowler, Marshawn Kneeland, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and James Houston.
In 2024, Clowney started 14 games for the Carolina Panthers and logged 46 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss and four pass deflections.
In addition to 58 career sacks, he has 108 tackles for loss in 11 seasons. Lawrence had 99 tackles for loss in 11 seasons with Cowboys.
The Cowboys have the cap room. The question is how much would he cost.
He signed a 2-year, $20 million deal with the Panthers before last season. It included an $8 million signing bonus and $12 million guaranteed.
The only time signed for less than $10 million was in 2023 when Clowney got $2.5 million for one season with the Ravens.
