The Carolina Panthers invested heavily in edge rushers in the 2025 NFL Draft, and the emphasis on that position has led them to release a former first overall pick.
Carolina announced on Thursday it had released veteran Jadeveon Clowney, the first overall pick in the 2014 draft.
He was signed to a two-year, $20 million contract by Panthers last March and finished with 5.5 sacks in his lone season with Carolina.
The Panthers, though, doubled up at edge rusher in the draft, taking Nic Scourton out of Texas A&M in the second round before then taking Princely Umanmielen from Ole Miss in the third round.
With that duo likely to play significant roles as the Panthers look to take the next step in their rebuild under head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan, a parting with Clowney made sense, and it allows the 32-year-old three-time Pro Bowler to potentially sign with a Super Bowl contender.
Carolina also confirmed it has placed running back Jonathon Brooks on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, ruling him out for the entirety of the 2025 season.
Brooks, a second-round pick in 2024, made his debut for the Panthers in November after suffering a torn ACL in his final college season at Texas.
However, he tore the same ACL in December, and will now have to wait until 2026 to try to justify his draft status.
