The Philadelphia Eagles are still trying to fill some holes left on their roster from their Super Bowl run as they gear up to defend their title this season.
With Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, and Milton Williams having moved on to other franchises or retired from the league altogether, there is an opening for another disrupter on the defensive line in Philadelphia, and one just came available for the Eagles, if they choose to pursue him.
Yes, I am talking about former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney. The defensive end was released by the Carolina Panthers on Thursday and is already eager to get back on the field and prove the doubters wrong with whatever team signs him next.
“I got more in the tank than people think,” Clowney said, via Joseph Pearson of The Athletic. “I just keep bringing it, and they’re gonna keep counting me out.”
If Clowney were to end up in Philadelphia, he and Jalen Carter would likely cause opposing offensive coordinators and offensive line coaches to lose sleep over how they'd protect their quarterback. The Eagles would be wise to consider giving him a hard look, as the former SEC star is chomping at the bit for an opportunity from any team.
“I’m definitely gonna play well,” Clowney told Person. “You can mark my word on that. I don’t care where I end up playing at, I’m gonna play extremely well.”
This past season, Clowney was actually quite effective for a defense that ranked among the league's worst. In 14 starts, Clowney recorded 46 tackles, nine of which were for a loss, 5.5 sacks, and 11 QB hurries. That performance, and Carolina's decision to part ways this offseason, has just added fuel to the fire for Clowney, and that could be great news for a team that already has key pieces to the puzzle in place, like the Eagles.
“I think I played well for Carolina [last] year, considering the circumstances that . . . unfolded for me,” Clowney said. “I played with a bunch of guys that was hurt this past year. And I ended up playing extremely well for them. So it is what it is. I can play the game. I can play football. 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.”
Going back to his days as an elite prep prospect, Clowney has had a penchant for living in the opposing offense's backfield. His 58 career sacks since entering the NFL back this fact up. While it is certainly not a knock on the players currently on the roster, a proven commodity like Clowney should provide more of a punch than 2023 seventh-round pick Moro Ojomo may be able to offer during the 2025 campaign.
There should be no doubts concerning Clowney's ability to blow plays up and cause disruption in the backfield in Philadelphia during the 2025 campaign. If Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni feel the same way, the Eagles could be adding a big name to the defensive front sooner rather than later.