Veteran linebacker Jadeveon Clowney has picked the Carolina Panthers as his next landing spot. The news was confirmed by the Panthers on social media on Wednesday.
Signing with the Panthers represents a homecoming of a sort for Clowney. He grew up and played high school football in Rock Hill, South Carolina, a city just 27 miles away from Charlotte, while also attending the University of South Carolina.
The Panthers didn’t disclose financial terms of the deal, but ESPN reports that Clowney will receive a two-year, $20 million contract. The deal could end up being worth up to $24 million and includes bonuses for sacks.
Clowney was forced to settle for a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens last offseason after a controversial split with the Cleveland Browns and underwhelming performances in 2022. The 2014 first-round pick enjoyed a career resurgence in Baltimore, finishing the year with 43 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and 19 QB hits.
While he remained on the free agent market longer than expected, Clowney had a number of suitors including the Ravens, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins. However, being close to home ended up giving the Panthers an edge.
“We’re going to be just 30 minutes from home. It’s where we do all our community and foundation work going into season 11. Plus, my Grandaddy is getting older; and last year we had a lot of losses in our family. So honestly, it just feels like a full circle moment being closer,” Clowney told CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson.
