The Panthers explored a trade of Jadeveon Clowney before the draft, but nothing came about on that front, Adam La Rose of Pro Football Rumors reports. Given the team’s rookie additions, though, the possibility remained the veteran edge rusher would be let go after only one season in Carolina.

Indeed, the team proceeded with a release on Thursday. One year remained on Clowney’s pact, but he now finds himself on the market as a post-draft free agent. As could be expected, the 32-year-old has no intention of hanging up his cleats at this point.

“I’m definitely gonna play well,” Clowney said during an interview with Joe Person of The Athletic (subscription required). “You can mark my word on that. I don’t care where I end up playing at, I’m gonna play extremely well… There are 31 other teams. I just hope another team gives me that opportunity so I can prove myself again. I feel like I can do that.”

After a five-year run in Houston to begin his career, the former No. 1 pick has bounced around the NFL. Clowney played for the Seahawks, Titans, Browns and Ravens prior to last year’s season spent with the Panthers. Only the Cleveland portion of that stretch (2021-22) consisted of a multi-year run in an organization. A long-term commitment can surely be ruled out once again in this case, but any number of teams could be willing to make him a depth addition for the 2025 campaign.

Clowney handled a full-time starting role in Carolina last season, and he posted 5.5 sacks. The South Carolina product totaled 18.5 sacks across the 2021 and ’23 campaigns, with a much less productive season taking place in between. Regardless of the sack output which can be expected of him, Clowney – who has 108 tackles for loss in his career – will be counted on to remain a strong contributor against the run on his next team.

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