Carolina Panthers fill a huge need by adding former No. 1 pick to roster

When NFL free agency began, the Carolina Panthers got off to a quick start, signing new starting offensive guards, shelling out over $150 million to Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt. Yet, the Panthers also lost two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Brian Burns by trading him to the New York Giants.

Now, Panthers general manager Dan Morgan has found a player who can help replace Burns, and we’re not talking about D.J. Wonnum or K’Lavon Chaisson.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Panthers have signed Jadeveon Clowney to a two-year, $20 million contract that has a max value of $24M. The former No. 1 overall pick is coming off one of his best seasons, where he recorded 9.5 sacks with the Baltimore Ravens.

• Jadeveon Clowney stats (2023): 43 tackles (9 TFL), 9.5 sacks, 2 FF, 5 PD

Now, the 31-year-old Rock Hill, South Carolina native returns home to continue a football career that has seen him play for five different teams across ten seasons. Clowney recorded 52.5 sacks in that time frame and instantly becomes the most accomplished pass rusher on the team as a two-time Pro Bowl player.

Clowney will be the second South Pointe High player to join the Panthers after Stephon Gilmore previously did so in 2021. After the Panthers finished with fewer sacks than every other NFL team last season, changes were needed, and after losing Brian Burns, the Panthers had no choice but to try replacing him with multiple players.

With Clowney, Wonnum, and Chaisson all added to the mix, the hope is that Ejiro Evero’s defense can take a big leap in 2024. Plus, more additions are coming in the 2024 NFL Draft .

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