Schultz: Jets 'Motivated' for Jadeveon Clowney Contract amid Ravens, Panthers Rumors

The New York Jets are "highly motivated" to finalize a contract with free-agent edge-rusher Jadeveon Clowney, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

Clowney has met personally with Jets representatives. Schultz reported he's continuing to garner interest from the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens.

The three-time Pro Bowler is coming off a productive season. He matched his career high for sacks (9.5) while posting 43 tackles, two forced fumbles and 19 hits on the quarterback.

Pro Football Focus graded Clowney as the 19th-best edge in 2023.

"Clowney set career highs in pass-rush win rate and pressure rate while finishing ninth among all edge players in run-stop rate (9.6%)," PFF's Lauren Gray wrote. "He led Baltimore's edge group in total pressures (78), stops (28) and tackles for loss or no gain (seven)."

The Jets lost their sack leader, Bryce Huff, to free agency this offseason, and that created an obvious void in the front seven. Carl Lawson is also gone after a three-year run in the Big Apple marred by injuries.

Veteran edge-rusher Shaq Barrett said recently on the Zach Gelb Show he was close to picking the Jets before the Miami Dolphins made a run at the 11th hour:

Barrett's decision to join a division rival adds to the urgency behind landing Clowney.

The 31-year-old is an experienced veteran who bounced back in a big way following a disappointing season with and ultimately contentious divorce from the Cleveland Browns. He's also the best edge-rusher still on the board, so New York would be running out of options in free agency if he, like Barrett, slips through the team's grasp.