Panthers sign Clowney to reported 2-year deal

The Carolina Panthers announced Wednesday they signed veteran pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney.

Terms were not announced, but ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the deal is for two years and $20 million. It reportedly also includes $4 million in incentives.

Clowney - a South Carolina native - tied a career high with 9.5 sacks last season and was a key member of the Baltimore Ravens' top-ranked defense. Baltimore was interested in bringing him back in 2024. The 31-year-old also recently visited the New York Jets, who have been looking to add to their pass-rushing rotation after losing Bryce Huff to free agency.

"He spoke with Ravens. He also liked his visit with (the) Jets. Both places were fits, but the Panthers pursued the hardest. This is a special day for us," Clowney's wife, Najah, told Josina Anderson of CBS Sports.

By signing Clowney, the Panthers addressed a major need this year. Carolina, which recently traded star pass-rusher Brian Burns to the New York Giants, also tried to sign defensive end Chase Young before he joined the New Orleans Saints.

None of the Panthers' three sack leaders in 2023 - Burns, Frankie Luvu, and Yetur Gross-Matos - will be back with the team in 2024. In addition to Clowney, Carolina has also signed edge rushers K'Lavon Chaisson and D.J. Wonnum.

The Panthers will be the sixth team of Clowney's career. The former first overall pick has also had stints with the Houston Texans (2014-18), Seattle Seahawks (2019), Tennessee Titans (2020), and Cleveland Browns (2021-22).

Clowney, who's a three-time Pro Bowler, has amassed 52.5 sacks in 126 appearances since entering the NFL. The South Carolina product has battled several injuries throughout his career but did manage to play all 17 games for Baltimore in 2023.

An established defender against the run, Clowney has never topped double-digit sacks in a single season. However, he's now posted at least nine sacks in two of the last three campaigns.