Jadeveon Clowney 'Got a Sense' Panthers 'Wanted Me Out of the Building' Before Release

Free-agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney suspected that the Carolina Panthers didn't view him as part of the team's future before he was cut on Thursday.

“I went to OTAs Day 1 and they kinda told me they weren’t expecting me to be there. I got a sense then they wanted me out of the building,” Clowney told Joseph Person of The Athletic. “I was just like, ‘Y’all could’ve told me this back when I was coming in here during the offseason.’ I kinda had a sense, though. I’ve been around the game long enough to know, so I was OK.”

The Panthers shopped Clowney ahead of the 2025 NFL draft before releasing him, according to ESPN's David Newton.

The writing appeared to be on the wall for the veteran following the draft, as Carolina selected edge-rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen with Day 2 picks.

The Panthers also signed pass-rusher Pat Jones II in free agency.

Carolina took on a $6 million dead cap charge and saved $7.8 million in 2025 cap space by releasing Clowney, per Over the Cap.

The 32-year-old was initially set to enter the final season of a two-year, $20 million contract that he signed with the Panthers in March 2024.

In Clowney's lone season with Carolina, he racked up 22 pressures and nine tackles for loss to go along with 5.5 sacks. His 32 percent run stop win rate and 18 percent pass rush win rate ranked No. 3 and No. 13 among all edge-rushers last season, respectively (via ESPN).

“I think I played well for Carolina (last) year, considering the circumstances that was unfolded for me," Clowney told Person. "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."

Clowney, who has earned three Pro Bowl nods and reached nine sacks in four separate seasons during his career, should have several interested suitors on the current free-agent market and could find a new home before training camp starts.