The Dallas Cowboys are making major moves about the future of their defense, but if it came down to Brian Schottenheimer, Jadeveon Clowney would be a part of the organization in 2026.
Schottenheimer opened up about Clowney’s future and explained why he would like the soon-to-be-33-year-old back with the Cowboys next season.
The Cowboys signed Clowney to a one-year, $3.5 million contract after they traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 28. Despite playing only 12 games, and only starting five, Clowney is tied for the Cowboys team lead in sacks (5.5) and is second on Dallas in tackles for loss (8) behind Donovan Ezeiruaku.
The Cowboys (7-8-1) will, of course, close their 2025 regular season Sunday against the New York Giants.
Brian Schottenheimer: Jadeveon Clowney Has Had ‘An Impact On The Younger Players’
Age may only be a number, but Clowney’s production is impressive given the fact this was his 12th NFL season and he was playing for fourth team in as many years.
Yet, according to the Cowboys head coach, Clowney has been most influential on the young players on Dallas’ roster.
“The impact on the field is great; you all see the way he plays,” Schottenheimer said. “But what I love is the impact he’s having with the younger players, the impact he’s having in the locker room [and] the intensity about the way the game should be played.
“I think all those things are just critical for our young players to listen and hear.”
The 2025 campaign has been extremely tumultuous for the Cowboys, and they added to the drama Tuesday when they cut veteran cornerback Trevon Diggs on Tuesday. Yet, amid the season’s worth of struggles, injuries and tragedies, Clowney has been a constant professional.
“To me, [Clowney’s leadership] is priceless,” Schottenheimer said. “You can’t watch him play and be like ‘oh, these are meaningless games to this guy.’ They’re not meaningless games at all to this guy. This guy wants to win at anything that he does and that play style and that temperament is something that I’d love to have back next year.”
Jerry Jones Also Wants Jadeveon Clowney Back In 2026
There is a growing disconnect between the Cowboys coaching staff and the Jones ownership group, especially as it pertains to the Dallas defense.
Owner/football czar Jerry Jones has all but fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, and Eberflus and the Dallas defensive staff offered one defiant move by not playing midseason acquisition Logan Wilson for a single snap against the Washington Commanders on Thursday.
Yet, both Jerry Jones and his son/Cowboys COO Stephen Jones share Schottenheimer’s sentiments with Clowney.
“Heâs played [at] a very high level,” Stephen Jones said on KRLD-FM on Friday. “Heâs been one of our best pressure players and obviously has a great pedigree being the first pick in the draft, albeit a few years ago (2014). Weâd love to have Jadeveon back.”
Clowney’s ability to adapt to new defenses could be beneficial too, since the Cowboys will likely have their fourth DC in as many years after Eberflus’ inevitable firing. Jones lauded Clowney’s leadership credentials too.
“Weâll be talking with his guys right away, and would love to get him in the mix because he is a leader,â Jones said. âWeâd love to have him in the mix from the get go, which would be outstanding. So, hopefully, with his willingness to want to be here and us wanting him to be here, hopefully we can figure something out.â
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