One of the lingering questions throughout the Green Bay Packers' offseason has been whether they will do anything to address the Micah Parsons-sized hole in the pass rush while he is sidelined early in the year. While the answer appears to be no, if the Packers change their minds later, one top free agent, veteran Jadeveon Clowney, will likely be gone before long.
Clowney was named as a potential Green Bay target as recently as a month ago, but nothing came of those rumblings. Now the veteran defensive end seems poised for a potential reunion with the Cleveland Browns. Clowney visited the facility earlier this week, and Browns general manager Andrew Berry has openly campaigned for his return following a two-year stint from 2021-22.
The Packers may be content to ride it out with their slew of young edge rushers, and while there are reasons to believe that can work just fine until Parsons returns, it also requires a lot going right. With the apparent momentum between Clowney and the Browns, time may be running out to land a relatively cheap stopgap and perfect part-time starter.
Jadeveon Clowney would be stopgap to stabilize young pass rush
Clowney is not the force he once was. He is 33 years old and entering his 13th season. Last season in Dallas, he started six of 13 games and logged under 400 snaps. Clowney is at this point more of a situational weapon than an every-week starter.
Honestly, that sounds like exactly the type of player the Packers could use. Even last season, Clowney produced 8.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in a part-time role. Parsons is not expected to return until around Week 7 at the earliest. In the meantime, Lukas Van Ness is Green Bay's No. 1 edge rusher. He has potential, but only two career starts.
Elsewhere in the rotation, the Packers will rely on promising sophomore Barryn Sorrell, rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton, veteran Brenton Cox, and Collin Oliver. While all are intriguing pieces, Green Bay likely needs a breakout from Van Ness, plus possibly one of the above, to maintain an effective pass rush while Parsons is out.
Clowney likely won't sign for the minimum - he wouldn't still be available otherwise - but he should not be too costly, either. Spotrac estimates his market value at one year for $5.7 million. That's doable for the Packers, and they can offer Clowney something the Browns can't: a chance to play meaningful games.
Jadeveon Clowney remains best of Packers' dwindling options
While there are several free-agent edge defenders remaining, few to none are as appealing an option for Green Bay. Joey Bosa is mulling retirement. Haason Reddick hasn't been effective since 2023. Von Miller is 37.
Leonard Floyd is the only comparable player of Clowney's caliber, and he should be more expensive and may expect something closer to a guaranteed starting job.
Trading for, say, someone like Josh Sweat could become possible later, but that would also require giving up assets in addition to paying a larger salary.
Clowney is an ideal fit for the Packers in that they could lean on him during Parsons' absence if the youngsters aren't able to hold their weight, then use him more situationally once the latter returns. That would be compatible with Clowney's role in Dallas last season.
Recently, however, the Packers have given no indication they are interested in making a move, and before long, they may be pot-committed to that approach as Clowney and others leave the market.
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