Context:

As the NFL 2025 season approaches, the Cincinnati Bengals are considering signing veteran edge-rusher Jadeveon Clowney to bolster their defense, particularly as insurance for Trey Hendrickson, who is rumored to seek a trade. Despite his underwhelming career since being the top pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Clowney remains a durable player with potential as a rotational piece, having earned three Pro Bowl selections. The Bengals recently drafted Shemar Stewart, a talented but raw prospect, highlighting their need for experienced players like Clowney to guide and support their defensive line. With the retirement of veteran Sam Hubbard, Cincinnati's defense is in need of reinforcement to complement their championship-caliber offense. Signing Clowney could provide the Bengals with a solid option to set the edge in run defense and enhance their pass rush alongside or in place of Hendrickson if traded.

Dive Deeper:

• The Cincinnati Bengals are eyeing Jadeveon Clowney as a potential addition to their defensive lineup to provide depth and experience, especially with Trey Hendrickson's future with the team uncertain due to trade rumors.

• Clowney, despite not achieving elite status, has displayed durability and competence, with three Pro Bowl appearances and multiple seasons of nine or more sacks, making him a valuable rotational player.

• The team's recent first-round draft pick, Shemar Stewart, is noted for his exceptional athleticism but is considered too raw to rely on immediately, necessitating the guidance of a seasoned player like Clowney.

• The Bengals' defense requires reinforcement following the retirement of veteran Sam Hubbard, which has increased the urgency to strengthen their defensive end positions.

• Clowney's ability to set the edge in run defense and contribute to the pass rush could significantly benefit the Bengals, especially if Hendrickson, the reigning NFL sack leader, leaves the team.

• Clowney's 2024 performance included 46 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, and a respectable Pro Football Focus grade, indicating his potential to impact the Bengals positively.

• With a powerful offensive lineup, the Bengals aim to enhance their defense to become more competitive, making Clowney a strategic acquisition to balance their roster.

• With free agency and the draft behind us, teams are beginning to get an idea of what their rosters will look for the 2025 season. 

• The Carolina Panthers, for example, added to their pass-rusher group during free agency and the draft. As a result, the team found veteran edge-rusher Jadeveon Clowney to be expendable. Clowney was released and is now among the best options at his position in free agency. 

• The Cincinnati Bengals are one of several teams that could use some reinforcements on the edge.

• Trey Hendrickson was given permission to seek a trade and continues to be floated in rumors, but even if the veteran remains in town, the team needs more options, anyway. 

• The Bengals did draft athletic freak Shemar Stewart in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but the Texas A&M product is raw and shouldn't be relied upon immediately.

• Elsewhere on the roster, veteran Sam Hubbard retired this offseason, furthering the need for more pieces.

• Ayrton Ostly of USA Today identified the Bengals as a logical landing spot for Clowney. Regarding that potential fit, Ostly offered the following: 

• "The Bengals spent their first-round pick on edge Shemar Stewart but he's viewed as one of the more raw prospects at the position with elite athletic tools. He could use a veteran like Clowney in the building to learn from with similar size and athletic abilities," Ostly wrote.

• "Cincinnati has a championship-caliber offense and needs to turn the tide on defense to make the most of it. Clowney could at least be a rotational piece who sets the edge in run defense well and provides enough pass rush opposite reigning NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson."

• Clowney has had an underwhelming career since being drafted with the top pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. The veteran has never collected double-digit sacks and has never earned a First-team All-Pro selection.

• However, Clowney has earned three Pro Bowl bids and has had nine or more sacks in four different seasons. Other than his rookie year in 2014 and the COVID season in 2020, Clowney has never played in fewer than 12 games, showcasing his durability. 

• Clowney isn't an elite option at this point in his career, but he could still be a useful rotational piece. 

• He collected 46 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 11 quarterback hits in 14 games in 2024. The veteran also earned a respectable 70.8 Pro Football Focus grade and was credited with 44 pressures, which ranked 38th out of 211 qualified edge-rushers. 

• In Cincinnati, the veteran could slot in opposite Hendrickson and split snaps with the rookie Stewart. If Hendrickson is traded, Clowney would likely be counted on in a bigger role, alongside Joseph Ossai.