Panthers Release Clowney After Drafting Two Edge Rushers

The Carolina Panthers have released veteran pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, saving about $7.8 million in 2025 cap space but incurring a $6 million dead cap hit. Clowney, 32, signed a two-year, $20 million deal with his home-state team last offseason and posted 5.5 sacks and 46 tackles in 14 games, a decline from his 9.5-sack season with the Ravens in 2023. The Panthers attempted to trade Clowney during the NFL Draft but were unsuccessful. The release follows Carolina's drafting of edge rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen as the team transitions to younger talent. Clowney, a former No. 1 overall pick with 58 career sacks over 11 seasons, will seek a new team as a rotational pass rusher. The Panthers are expected to lean on D.J. Wonnum and free agent Patrick Jones II at outside linebacker going forward.