Every NFC North team has a roster need for EDGE rusher Jadeveon Clowney — that’s the word this week from NFL insider Jason La Canfora. Free agency began in March, and Clowney curiously has not signed anywhere.
Per La Canfora, the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears especially make sense for the veteran defender.
The Division Has Multiple Openings at EDGE
La Canfora: Keep an Eye on Clowney to the NFC North
La Canfora spilled the beans last week: “Every team in the NFC North, for instance, is lacking a defensive player in the mould of Clowney, and it would not surprise league execs if he ended up with Chicago. Detroit or Green Bay, in particular.”
“Clowney is in no hurry to sign anywhere, according to sources with knowledge of the situation, and at this stage of his career, even training camp, or a full training camp, is not a prerequisite for him. One executive told SportsBoom he has a hunch that Clowney ends up with the Packers.”
At this stage of free agency, Clowney will likely sign a deal worth $8 million or so.
La Canfora added, “Green Bay star pass rusher Micah Parsons is going to miss upwards of half the season returning from surgery. Over the last three seasons, Clowney has had a top pressure rate among all NFL edge defenders age 30 or over (nearly 16%), and he has always been a strong run defender with long arms and core strength.”
“It wouldn’t be a surprise at all at this stage for him to land with a playoff team.”
The Packers’ Fit
Here’s what the Packers are looking at for EDGE defenders this season:
- Micah Parsons (probably available midseason)
- Lukas Van Ness
- Barryn Sorrell
- Dani Dennis-Sutton
- Brenton Cox Jr.
- Arron Mosby
- Nyjalik Kelly
- Dante Barnett
With Parsons, this group is just fine — there aren’t many worries when Parsons can create so much havoc. Without him, though, for an unknown number of weeks, the outlook gets sketchy.
It’s why adding Clowney makes so much sense for Matt LaFleur’s team. Clowney can basically start until Parsons returns and then get significant OLB action thereafter.
For context, these are Clowney’s career numbers:
2025: 8.5 Sacks | 12 TFL | 10 QB Hits
2024: 5.5 Sacks | 9 TFL | 11 QB Hits
2023: 9.5 Sacks | 9 TFL | 19 QB Hits
2022: 2.0 Sacks | 4 TFL | 4 QB Hits
2021: 9.0 Sacks | 11 TFL | 19 QB Hits
2020: 0.0 Sacks | 4 TFL | 6 QB Hits
2019: 3.0 Sacks | 7 TFL | 13 QB Hits
2018: 9.0 Sacks | 16 TFL | 21 QB Hits
2017: 9.5 Sacks | 21 TFL | 21 QB Hits
2016: 6.0 Sacks | 16 TFL | 17 QB Hits
2015: 4.5 Sacks | 8 TFL | 8 QB Hits
2014: 0.0 Sacks | 3 TFL | 0 QB Hits
Bears and Lions
In Chicago, here’s the defensive end setup:
- Montez Sweat
- Austin Booker
- Dayo Odeyingbo
- Daniel Hardy
- Shemar Turner
- Jamree Kromah
- Jeremiah Martin
- Jonathan Garvin
Clowney would slide somewhere between Booker and Odeyingbo.
In Detroit:
- Aidan Hutchinson
- Derrick Moore
- D.J. Wonnum
- Payton Turner
- Ahmed Hassanein
- Tyre Martin
- Anthony Lucas
- Tyler Lacy
- Eric O’Neill
Here, Clowney would fight for the OLB2 position against Moore. It’s true — every NFC North club needs a little piece of Clowney and his veteran experience + production.
What about the Vikings?
Before the draft, the Minnesota Vikings’ outside linebacker room appeared solid. Fans appreciated the depth, and the top of the depth chart, featuring Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner, inspired confidence.
However, Greenard’s trade to the Philadelphia Eagles quickly altered the outlook. Minnesota’s current outside linebacker roster includes:
- Andrew Van Ginkel
- Dallas Turner
- Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
- Bo Richter
- Tyler Batty
- Chaz Chambliss
- Cam’Ron Stewart
- Arden Walker
While this group provides enough names to fill a depth chart with the regular season 11.5 weeks away, the critical question is whether there’s enough proven talent after the top two.
Van Ginkel and Turner offer a legitimate top two. Beyond them, the situation becomes less clear. Ingram-Dawkins, Richter, Batty, and Chambliss show potential, but the Vikings need to determine if any are ready to step into the crucial OLB3 role in Brian Flores‘ high-expectation defense — a position that is far from a throwaway.
The Vikings could also consider rookie linebacker Jake Golday as an EDGE defender as a hybrid inside-outside linebacker. He would provide another defensive option, particularly if Flores seeks versatility over a traditional reserve pass rusher.
Ultimately, Greenard’s departure transformed the room from “stacked” to a situation worth monitoring. Minnesota has sufficient players; now, they need sufficient certainty.
Clowney’s services may prompt an NFC North arms race.
