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Jadeveon Clowney #42 of the Dallas Cowboys in 2025, is still a free agent.
Throughout the course of last season, in the wake of the Dallas Cowboys‘ stunning trade of Micah Parsons to the Packers, one thing that stood out about an otherwise forgettable defense was that pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney could still get the job done. He missed training camp as he went unsigned after being released by the Panthers, and didn’t land with Dallas until September, but once he got himself up to speed, he was the best the Cowboys had on the edge.
Clowney wound up with 8.5 sacks last year, and led the team. He played only 13 games, and only 44% of the Cowboys’ defensive snaps, yet he was 3.0 sacks ahead of No. 2 on the Cowboys’ list, James Houston.
The Cowboys still need pass-rushing help, but for some reason, they’ve declined to bring back Clowney, a player team owner Jerry Jones and son Stephen Jones had spoke about glowingly last season. Speculation holds that the Cowboys don’t feel Clowney will fit in the defense of new coordinator Christian Parker, but after 12 years in the NFL with seven different teams, Clowney does not much agree with that.
Jadeveon Clowney: ‘I Am Coming to Show You Again’
In fact, speaking with Aaron Wilson of KPRC in Houston, Clowney has a warning for the Cowboys and the other NFL teams that have left him so far unsigned in free agency: He can play in any system, and he’ll be happy to prove those overlooking him wrong.
Said Clowney: “It’s whatever with me. I done played in every scheme, ain’t no scheme I can’t play in, 3-4 to 4-3 to whatever down scheme that you had. I think I done proved that I can play in them all and not just play in them, but also dominate in them schemes and do my job at a high level. Like I said, no matter where I end up, where I play at, just know I am coming to show you again and prove people wrong again. …
“They know I’m available. I walk in every year and play well on every scheme and every team I’ve been on. I want to continue to do that going into year 13. Showing people wrong and proving that I can still play at a high level. It don’t matter where I end up, where I play at, just know I’m coming to show you again and prove people wrong again.”
Cowboys Have Passed in Free Agency
Clowney turned 33 years old last month, and that’s certainly part of the reason the Cowboys, or any other team, has yet to sign him. He last December that he planned to play again in 2026 but that he did not want to be a couch free agent the way he was in 2025–he wants to be in an NFL camp.
He is rated the No. 7 edge rusher in free agency by Pro Football Focus this season, and the 41st-best free agent overall.
“I got a lot left in the tank,” he said. “I don’t know if other people know that, but I know that, and I think I can continue to prove that to people and go out there and show people I’m going to do that.”
Jadeveon Clowney Enjoyed Playing for Cowboys
Clowney did say he liked playing for the Cowboys, and during last season, quarterback Dak Prescott praised Clowney, saying he appreciated his veteran leadership and hoped he would be back in 2026. Re-signing Clowney could still happen, but the possibility looks tenuous now, though.
“Man, it was great,” Clowney said of playing for the Cowboys. “I enjoyed Dallas, playing on prime time every week. It was a great experience, man, playing on Thanksgiving, Christmas. It was special for me. A lot of people watching, a lot of families showing up. I had a great time playing for Dallas.”
Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of 7 nonfiction books, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.” More about Sean Deveney
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