For a team that had almost nothing go right on the defensive side of the ball in 2025, the Dallas Cowboys did luck into one very important piece, particularly in the wake of the shock trade of Micah Parsons to the Packers at the end of August. That was now 33-year-old edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, who was signed after the season started and made his debut in late September.
Clowney was not Parsons, of course, but he gave the Cowboys a strong presence on the edge, and got better as the season went on. He recorded a team-which 8.5 sacks, a considerable number given that Dallas, which had let DeMarcus Lawrence go in free agency last offseason, was mostly devoid of pass-rush talent.
Clowney drew praise from coach Brian Schottenheimer, and from owner Jerry Jones as the 2025 went on and his performance improved. Finally, quarterback Dak Prescott, who appreciates having other veteran presences in the locker room, advocated for Clowney to come back in free agency.
“We’re fortunate to have him,” Prescott said. “He’s one of those guys that we’ve got to figure out a way to keep.”
Cowboys ‘Can’t Have it All’
But, unfortunately for both Prescott and Clowney, something has changed considerably in the Cowboys’ thinking on keeping him around. Clowney is still a free agent, but the Cowboys have made no effort to keep him.
From what Jones said this week at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix, the Cowboys have no intention or revisiting an effort to keep Clowney.
Said Jones: “It’s real hard when you look at how Clowney came on last year, the snaps he gave us, it’s real hard not to have a place there for Clowney. But you can’t have it all. You just can’t have it all. If things go right for us, we’ve already made a signing, we made trades, we think that’s the better way to go. And of course, we’ve got the draft.”
GettyJadeveon Clowney #42 of the Dallas Cowboys in 2025, is still a free agent.
Jadeveon Clowney Says He’d Fit ‘Every Scheme’
The Cowboys have changed defensive coordinators, with former Eagles defensive backs coach Christian Parker taking over the role, and a defensive switch coming along with him. The Cowboys will play a multiple defense with a 3-4 base, and that, it seems, will not include Clowney.
Which is strange because the Cowboys still need edge help, and no matter the system, Clowney has shown he can fit.
As he said this week in an interview with KPRC in Houston: “It’s whatever with me. I done played in every scheme, ain’t no scheme I can’t play in, 3-4 to 4-3 to whatever down scheme that you had. I think I done proved that I can play in them all and not just play in them, but also dominate in them schemes and do my job at a high level. Like I said, no matter where I end up, where I play at, just know I am coming to show you again and prove people wrong again. …
“They know I’m available. I walk in every year and play well on every scheme and every team I’ve been on. I want to continue to do that going into year 13. Showing people wrong and proving that I can still play at a high level. It don’t matter where I end up, where I play at, just know I’m coming to show you again and prove people wrong again.”
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