Insights As Veteran Pass Rusher To Buffalo Bills Trade Rumors Floating Around As a Major Deal Looms

Last week, the Buffalo Bills made headlines by trading with the Cleveland Browns to acquire wide receiver Amari Cooper. Cooper’s debut with Buffalo went well, raising hopes that his presence will strengthen the wide receiver group in the long run.

Could general manager Brandon Beane still be looking to enhance the Bills’ roster? Bills Mafia knows that with Beane, anything is possible. There are rumors in the national media suggesting that Beane might attempt to strike a trade with the Carolina Panthers for veteran defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.

Sports Illustrated writer Matt Verderame noted the following regarding the upcoming NFL trade deadline:

If the Panthers choose to offload some of their veteran players, the Buffalo Bills should be on your radar. Buffalo and Carolina have strong connections in their front offices, with Panthers GM Dan Morgan having previously worked under Bills GM Brandon Beane from 2018 to 2020. Beane himself arrived at the Bills after a lengthy tenure with the Panthers. While Buffalo has recently bolstered their receiving corps with Cooper, adding another pass rusher like Clowney could be a smart move, especially since he will be a free agent after this season.

This certainly piques interest. One notable aspect of Clowney’s career is that since the end of his five-year rookie contract with the Houston Texans, he has moved around the NFL mostly on one-year deals with five different teams, with his longest stint being two seasons with the Cleveland Browns after leaving the Texans.

So, why should the Bills consider trading for Jadeveon Clowney? Longtime readers of Buffalo Rumblings are likely well aware of who Clowney is, as he was a pre-draft favorite for many in this community. A standout play from his college days had many envisioning the impact he could have as a powerful defensive end for the Bills.

10 years ago today, Jadeveon Clowney had one of the most electric plays in college football history. 🔥
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Where were you when The Hit happened? ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6V4W5BOWaw

— Gamecocks Today (@GamecocksToday) January 1, 2023

Yes, that footage is nearly 12 years old, but Jadeveon Clowney remains a formidable presence on the field. At 31, with a birthday on Valentine’s Day, he may not be in his prime anymore, but he’s not ready to acknowledge that just yet.

Buffalo’s defense has faced challenges against the run this season, as seen in games against running backs like Derrick Henry and Breece Hall. Acquiring a player like Clowney, who excels in stopping the run, would be a significant boost for the Bills.

Furthermore, Clowney’s abilities as a pass rusher would be a valuable addition to Buffalo’s defense, alongside defensive ends Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa, and edge rusher Von Miller.

Why Are the Panthers Trading Jadeveon Clowney?

The Panthers are struggling this season, holding a dismal 1-6 record and suffering six losses by two scores or more. Their main focus is likely securing a higher pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Head coach Dave Canales recently benched second-year quarterback Bryce Young, the first overall pick in the 2023 Draft, in favor of veteran Andy Dalton, who had some immediate success, but that quickly faded.

As a result, the Panthers may be looking to free up cap space by parting with veterans who seek a fresh start elsewhere, where they might have a better chance to win.

What is Jadeveon Clowney’s Contract?

Clowney is in the final year of his contract and will become a free agent at the end of the season. He signed a two-year, $20milliondealwiththePanthersbeforethe2023season,whichincludedan$ 8 million signing bonus and $12millionguaranteed,averaging$ 10 million annually. According to Spotrac, Clowney’s cap hit for the 2024 season is $ 6 million.

Jadeveon Clowney Stats

This season, Clowney has appeared in five games, recording 12 tackles (6 solo), two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and one sack. In 2023, he played 17 games (starting 15), accumulating 43 tackles (24 solo), nine tackles for loss, 19 quarterback hits, 9.5 sacks, five pass defenses, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

Throughout his 11-year NFL career, Clowney has started 118 games (131 appearances), making 375 tackles (254 solo), 101 tackles for loss, 130 quarterback hits, 53.5 sacks, 28 pass defenses, 15 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries (for 85 yards), three fumble return touchdowns, and one interception, which he returned for 27 yards and a touchdown, according to Pro Football Reference.