It is time for Clowney to find a new home. The Carolina Panthers made the decision to release veteran linebacker Jadeveon Clowney on Thursday.
Clowney, the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft out of the University of South Carolina, is getting a little long in the tooth and turned 32 in February and carried a $13.8 million cap hit for 2025.
The Panthers saved approximately $7.8 million by cutting the three-time Pro Bowl selection.
Clowney got home to the quarterback, registering 5.5 sacks, 11 quarterback hits and 46 tackles in 14 starts in his only campaign with the Panthers in 2024.
He has had a good career up until this point with 58 sacks, 139 QB hits, 15 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries (three for touchdowns) and 409 tackles (108 for loss) in 140 games (127 starts) with the Houston Texans (2014-18), Seattle Seahawks (2019), Tennessee Titans (2020), Cleveland Browns (2021-22), Baltimore Ravens (2023) and Panthers.
Clowney made three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances from 2016-18. The outside linebacker signed a two-year, $20 million deal with Carolina in March 2024.
The Panthers chose to go younger, selecting Texas A&M edge rusher Nic Scourton in the second round and Ole Miss edge rusher Princely Umanmielen in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft in April. Carolina also signed former Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Patrick Jones II to a two-year, $20 million deal in free agency.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Carolina Panthers placed running back Jonathon Brooks on the physically unable to perform list, (PUP) Thursday due to the torn ACL he suffered late last season. Brooks’ move to the PUP list means he is out for the entire 2025 season.
Carolina’s ground and pound attack last year was led by Chuba Hubbard, who earned a new contract for his work.
Signed to a four-year, $33.2 million contract extension in November, Hubbard recorded career-high totals in rushing yards (1,195), rushing touchdowns (10) and receptions (43) in 15 games, all starts, last season.
Brooks saw his rookie season get cut short after just three games and nine total carries following his right knee injury during the Panthers’ 22-16 loss to the eventual champions, the Philadelphia Eagles on December 8.
On a first-quarter run, Brooks planted his right foot in an attempt to cut to the outside and went down with a non-contact injury. He attempted to put weight on his knee and limp off the field under his own power but had to be helped to the sideline.
A second-round draft pick out of the University of Texas, Brooks still was recovering from ACL surgery on the same knee when the 2024 season began. His previous ACL injury occurred in the Longhorns’ victory over TCU in November 2023.
Brooks, 21, made his NFL debut on November 24 against the Kansas City Chiefs and gained 7 yards on two carries. His production improved slightly the following, gaining 18 yards on six carries against their division rival, Tampa Bay Buccaneers before he was injured on his lone carry in Philadelphia.
