A potential option for San Francisco hit the market on Thursday.
The Carolina Panthers released outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney on Thursday. The 32-year-old tallied 46 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 14 games during his lone season in Carolina. Clowney registered 9.5 sacks the season before in Baltimore.
The former No. 1 overall draft pick signed with the Panthers last offseason on a two-year deal, $20 million deal. Carolina signed linebacker Pat Jones II in free agency after Jones notched seven sacks last season with the Minnesota Vikings.
Then, Carolina drafted edge rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen in the second and third rounds of the 2025 NFL draft.
With Clowney now on the market, the 49ers could conceivably take a look. Clowney was one of the names that Niners Wire recently featured as a potential trade target.
The 6-foot-5, 266-pound South Carolina alum would bring some much-needed pass rushing ability to help supplement Nick Bosa. San Francisco drafted Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams with its first-round draft pick at No. 11, but Clowney’s 58 career sacks would have to be enticing to the 49ers’ front office.
It would take a little pressure off Williams to produce heavily in the pass-rushing department during his rookie season and provide a veteran presence to pair with Bosa.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Newly available free agent DE should be on 49ers radar
Reporting by Josh Helmer, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
