Cowboys signing DE Jadeveon Clowney after wild OT win over Giants to help replace Micah Parsons
The Dallas Cowboys’ defense is getting some help.
The Cowboys struck a deal to bring in free-agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, team owner Jerry Jones revealed Sunday afternoon. According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, it’s a one-year, $3.5 million deal worth up to $6 million. Jones told reporters of the news shortly after the Cowboys eked out a 40-37 overtime victory over the New York Giants on Sunday.
While he can’t completely replace him, Clowney will help to fill the hole left by former star pass rusher Micah Parsons. The Cowboys traded Parsons to the Green Bay Packers a week before the regular season started after months of failed and messy contract extension negotiations that led to Parsons requesting a trade out of the organization.
Clowney, a former No. 1 overall draft pick, last played for the Carolina Panthers. He had 46 total tackles and 5.5 sacks in 14 games there last season. The Cowboys will mark the three-time Pro Bowler’s fourth team in as many seasons. The Panthers cut Clowney in May, which sent him into free agency. He visited the Cowboys last week, and he was in the building Sunday for their win over the Giants.
“I got seven primetime games to prove and show the world. That was my whole thought on coming down here,” Clowney said, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “I get to play primetime and put myself out there again. Sky is the limit again for me. I don’t feel like I’m getting old. Terence Crawford just beat somebody at [37] years old. I got a lot left in the tank.”
The Cowboys officially announced the signing on Monday, and Clowney said he expects to play at least a little bit against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. He also had high praise for the Cowboys’ facilities.
“I’ve been on seven teams and [The Star] is a lot different than any place I’ve been,” Clowney said. “They got a lot for these guys. They’re a little spoiled. Jerry Jones spoils his teams. You gotta play well when you’re spoiled like this. You want to be in a place like this for a while. Play good so you can stay around.”
Clowney’s presence is sure to be a welcome one in Dallas. If Sunday’s game was any indication — Giants quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns, two of which were deep balls in the fourth quarter that kept the team in it — their defense could use some help.
The Cowboys now sit at 1-1 on the season after Sunday’s win, which came on the heels of a narrow loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1. They’ll take on the Bears next on Sunday at Soldier Field.