What Happened to Jadeveon Davarus Clowney?
Jadeveon Clowney is an American professional football defensive end who was the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. After a successful start with the Houston Texans, he has become a well-traveled veteran, playing for seven different teams throughout his career. As of July 29, 2026, Clowney is a free agent and is reportedly visiting the Cleveland Browns for a potential reunion.
Quick Answer
Jadeveon Clowney, the former No. 1 overall pick, has had a journeyman career in the NFL, playing for seven different teams. Most recently, he played for the Dallas Cowboys in the 2025 season, leading the team with 8.5 sacks. As of July 29, 2026, Clowney is a free agent and is currently visiting the Cleveland Browns, signaling a potential return to a team he previously played for in 2021-2022.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Drafted First Overall by Houston Texans
Jadeveon Clowney was selected as the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, following a standout college career at South Carolina.
First Pro Bowl Selection and Second-team All-Pro
Clowney earned his first Pro Bowl selection and was named Second-team All-Pro, showcasing his elite defensive talent.
Traded to Seattle Seahawks
After five seasons with the Texans, Clowney was traded to the Seattle Seahawks, marking the beginning of his journey across multiple NFL teams.
Signed with Tennessee Titans
Clowney signed a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans, continuing his trend of playing on short-term contracts.
Signed First Contract with Cleveland Browns
Clowney joined the Cleveland Browns on a one-year contract, where he had a productive season with nine sacks.
Sent Home by Browns, Later Released
Clowney was sent home by the Browns before the 2022 season finale after making critical comments about his usage and was subsequently released in March 2023.
Signed with Baltimore Ravens
Clowney signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens and had a strong season, recording 9.5 sacks.
Signed with Carolina Panthers
Clowney signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the Carolina Panthers, returning to his home state.
Released by Carolina Panthers
After just one season, Clowney was released by the Panthers, despite leading the team in sacks with 5.5 in 2024.
Signed with Dallas Cowboys
Clowney signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys, where he led the team with 8.5 sacks in the 2025 season.
Cowboys Not Pursuing Re-signing Clowney
Reports from the NFL Combine indicated that the Dallas Cowboys were not actively pursuing a new contract with Clowney, likely due to a change in defensive scheme.
Visiting Cleveland Browns
As a free agent, Clowney is visiting the Cleveland Browns for a potential reunion, marking a significant development in his 2026 offseason.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Jadeveon Clowney's NFL journey began with immense expectations as the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. After a college career at South Carolina where he earned unanimous All-American honors, Clowney spent five seasons with the Texans, making three consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 2016 to 2018 and earning Second-team All-Pro honors in 2016. His tenure in Houston was marked by flashes of dominance, though injuries sometimes limited his availability.
Following his time with the Texans, Clowney embarked on a nomadic phase of his career, becoming a prominent defensive mercenary. He played for the Seattle Seahawks in 2019, the Tennessee Titans in 2020, and had two stints with the Cleveland Browns in 2021 and 2022. His second tenure with the Browns ended controversially when he was sent home before the 2022 season finale after publicly criticizing his usage and alleging favoritism towards Myles Garrett.
In 2023, Clowney signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens, where he had a productive season, recording 9.5 sacks in 17 games. This strong performance led to a two-year, $20 million deal with the Carolina Panthers in March 2024. However, his time with the Panthers was short-lived, as he was released on May 8, 2025, after recording 5.5 sacks in 14 games during the 2024 season.
Clowney quickly found a new home, signing a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys on September 14, 2025. He proved to be a significant asset for the Cowboys, leading the team with 8.5 sacks in 13 games during the 2025 season and earning a 79.2 overall PFF defensive grade. Despite his strong performance, the Cowboys did not re-sign him, reportedly due to a change in defensive philosophy with a new defensive coordinator.
As of July 29, 2026, Jadeveon Clowney, now 33 years old, remains a free agent. However, he is actively seeking a new team and is reportedly visiting the Cleveland Browns, indicating a potential and somewhat unexpected reunion. This visit comes after Myles Garrett, a key figure in Clowney's previous departure from Cleveland, was traded, potentially clearing the path for his return. Clowney's consistent ability to generate pressure and sacks continues to make him an attractive option for teams looking to bolster their pass rush.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Jadeveon Davarus Clowney made different choices?