When Jadeveon Clowney entered the league in 2014, he was hailed as a generational talent with a physical profile that seemed engineered in a laboratory. The unquestioned No. 1 overall pick, he went on to play five seasons with the Houston Texans, transforming raw potential into consistent production, earning three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2016 to 2018. Across his tenure in Houston, he racked up 29 sacks and over 200 tackles, including a staggering 64 tackles for loss.
After playing out his rookie deal in Texas, Clowney was traded to Seattle, where he quickly transitioned into one of the league’s most overqualified nomads. He played for five different franchises in six years. His struggles to find a permanent home were rarely about a lack of talent but rather a combination of high salary demands and a frustrating injury history, including microfracture knee surgery. Teams often viewed him as a premium rental rather than a long-term investment, leading to a series of one-year “prove it” deals that left fans wondering why such a force was constantly packing his bags.
Last year, his journey came full circle as he found himself back in Texas, this time on the NFC team. The Cowboys became the latest team to require his services when they were left scrambling to find pass-rushing help after shipping off Micah Parsons to Green Bay. And to everyone’s pleasure, Clowney didn’t disappoint. He led the team with 8.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss, providing the consistent edge pressure the team desperately needed. His performance in the season finale against the Giants was particularly legendary, as he tallied three sacks and forced a fumble. He played with the fire of a man half his age, proving he still had plenty left in the tank. Of all the countless new defensive additions the Cowboys had last year, he was one of the few that actually worked out.
Clowney’s value remains rooted in his rare ability to be a complete defensive end. While many edge-rushing studs are one-dimensional speed specialists, Clowney is an elite run stopper who sets a physical edge, preventing running backs from getting around the corner. His functional strength allows him to manhandle offensive tackles, while his veteran savvy helps him diagnose plays before they even develop. This dual threat capability makes him a three-down player and provides a floor of defensive stability.
As effective as he was last year, he stands to be even better under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. In Parker’s system, the young coach prioritizes edge players who are versatile and disciplined, requiring ends who can crash the pocket while maintaining their gap integrity against the run. Clowney’s experience across various defensive fronts makes him the perfect fit for a coordinator who loves to disguise his intentions. Parker wants players who can create chaos without losing their assignment, and Clowney has mastered the art of disciplined destruction. It is a match made in football heaven, and it feels like one of the easiest decisions this front office has to make this offseason.
Clowney played on a low-cost $3.5 million deal last year. His price will go up this offseason with projections running around $8 million, which is still a bargain for what he gives you. The problem is, he hasn’t been able to string together two consecutive good seasons since his days in Houston. He’ll need to hope for better luck in the health department to buck that trend. With Jerry Jones notorious for massaging contracts with per-game bonuses, the Cowboys could find a way to protect their investment while still offering him a reasonable deal.
Retaining Clowney is crucial for a team that has a lot of work to do as they transition to a new era of pass-rushing talent. The Cowboys are banking on second-year player Donovan Ezeiruka taking the next step, as well as adding one of the top collegiate pass rushers in this year’s draft, but mixing that with Clowney’s leadership is invaluable. Keeping him in the building ensures that the young stars have a blueprint for success right in their own locker room while keeping a veteran’s presence in the pass-rushing rotation.
