ESPN Wants the Lions to Sign Jadeveon Clowney, But Let’s Be Real Here
The Detroit Lions have a couple roster spots open and an estimated $23.6 million in cap space left. As evidenced by their signing of wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr., the Lions are certainly still interested in adding talent and competition to their roster.
But there are obviously going to be limits on who they can add. With the recent extension of Jack Campbell and new deals for Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, and Brian Branch potentially on the horizon, we’ve seen the Lions take a very measured approach to the offseason.
Outside of Cade Mays (three years, $25 million) and Larry Borom (one year, $5 million), the Lions haven’t spent more than $3 million a year on an external free agent this offseason. That’s the Brad Holmes way. Methodical. Smart. Boring as hell sometimes, but it works.
ESPN’s Pipe Dream Suggestion
That’s why ESPN’s recent suggestion of the Lions signing defensive end Jadeveon Clowney feels like a bit of a pipe dream. Earlier this week, ESPN’s Matt Bowen listed the 14 best remaining fits in free agency, and that’s where he paired the Lions with Clowney.
“Detroit drafted edge rusher Derrick Moore in the second round to play opposite Aidan Hutchinson on pass-rushing downs, but Clowney would provide more depth up front,” Bowen wrote. “He had 8.5 sacks and 32 pressures last season in 13 games for the Cowboys, winning late in the down to get to the quarterback. Clowney would provide rotational value for coordinator Kelvin Sheppard’s unit.”
In a vacuum, this would make a lot of sense. Clowney has the size (6-foot-5, 266 pounds) and physicality to his game that would be a pretty idealistic fit in Detroit’s defense. And despite being 33 years old, Clowney has shown he can still be productive.
The Production is Still There
Last year in a rotational role with the Cowboys (only 373 snaps played), Clowney produced 41 tackles and 8.5 sacks in just 13 games. Those aren’t backup numbers. Those are legitimate impact numbers from a guy who wasn’t even playing full-time snaps.
You can never have too many pass rushers, especially when you’re trying to take pressure off Aidan Hutchinson. And yes, we drafted Derrick Moore in the second round specifically for this reason, but rookie edge rushers are about as reliable as Detroit weather in April.
But Here’s the Thing About Money
Price will likely be the limiting factor. Though he’s only coming off a one-year, $3.4 million deal with Dallas, he’s likely to see more than that after the year he had in 2025. After producing 9.5 sacks in 2023, Clowney signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Panthers. Spotrac projects a one-year, $5.7 million price tag for Clowney.
That might not sound like much, but it would represent the Lions’ biggest external free agent investment of the offseason outside of Cade Mays. Holmes has been operating with surgical precision this offseason, not exactly throwing around money for aging veterans.
With the Lions adding both DJ Wonnum and second-round pick Derrick Moore this offseason, it feels like the addition of Clowney is unlikely. Holmes has his depth chart mapped out. He’s got his budget allocated. And frankly, he’s earned the benefit of the doubt on roster construction.
Would Clowney make this defense better? Probably. Will Brad Holmes pay above market rate for a 33-year-old pass rusher when he’s already invested in younger options? That’s not exactly his style.
Are you buying ESPN’s suggestion or do you think Holmes already has his edge rusher room sorted? Drop your take below.
