Just one win away from the Super Bowl last season, quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders are ready to make a statement in 2025. Although a few notable names departed, Washington did enough to replace them, firmly setting their sights on Super Bowl 60 at Levi’s Stadium.
However, on the defensive end, the Commanders could still use some help after losing Dante Fowler Jr. in free agency. Washington signed Deatrich Wise and Jacob Martin to replace Fowler and is predicted to continue shoring up the pass-rushing department by signing a three-time Pro Bowler free agent.
Commanders Projected To Sign Jadeveon Clowney in Free Agency
The Commanders were one of the most aggressive teams in the offseason, and Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton doesn’t expect them to stop any sooner. Moton identified pass rush as the area of weakness on Washington’s roster, and predicted the franchise to sign former Carolina Panthers’ edge Jadeveon Clowney.
“Last season, Dante Fowler Jr. led Washington in sacks with 10.5. In free agency, he signed with his former team, the Cowboys,” Moton wrote. “The Commanders have tried to shore up the defensive end position, signing Deatrich Wise and Jacob Martin. They can continue to stockpile veterans to bolster their pass-rushing committee.
“At 32, Clowney can be productive in a rotational role. Last year, he recorded 46 tackles, nine for loss, 5.5 sacks, and 22 pressures while on the field for 64 percent of the defensive snaps.”
The choice to move on from Clowney by the Panthers was puzzling, as the pass rusher was coming off a productive season with 5.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, and 11 quarterback hits. He had signed a two-year, $20 million contract in March 2024 and was due $10 million in 2025, saving the Panthers $7.8 million against the cap.
Sources: The #Panthers are releasing 3x Pro Bowler Jadeveon Clowney. pic.twitter.com/OsJ0dJ2oyj
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report)
The 32-year-old was the No. 1 overall pick of the Houston Texans in the 2014 NFL Draft. He spent his first five seasons in Houston, making three straight Pro Bowls from 2016 to 2018 before being released in 2019. Clowney has become a journeyman since, suiting up for the Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, and Panthers, and now the next could potentially be the Commanders.
Washington is slated to start Dorance Armstrong and Deatrich Wise at that position, and Clowney fits in the same physical mould as them, giving them more depth as they set sights on ending the Super Bowl drought. The Commanders still have around $23 million in projected cap space to work with and should be able to make an enticing offer to Clowney.