He’ll be back. If the Cowboys will have him, veteran pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney will be back in Dallas next season, and hopefully in Oxnard for training camp, too. But even if it does not happen in North Texas, the 32-year-old former All-Pro says he is playing in 2026 and wants to be with a team in training camp, wherever that may be.
Clowney was a free agent this summer until he finally signed with the Cowboys in September, making his 2025 debut in Week 4, a late start to his 12th NFL season. He does not want to repeat that in 2026.
“I feel good,” Clowney said. “I told them it would take some time to get going, coming off the couch. It was slow getting me involved in the scheme but it has worked out for me towards the end of the season. Next year I just gotta get ready a little earlier, and stay ready so I don’t have to worry about that.”
Jadeveon Clowney Can Still Play
Clowney has been excellent for the Cowboys in recent weeks and has been the best player on a pass-rushing unit that has been better than expected.
He had 2.0 sacks in the Thanksgiving win over the Chiefs, and 1.5 on Christmas against the Commanders. He has 5.5 sacks, which leads the Cowboys. Clowney has graded out at Pro Football Focus with a 76.6 this season, which rates No. 20 out of 112 pass-rushers in the NFL
Clowney said he is hitting his stride. “Just having fun out there with the guys, man. It’s been a great season,” he said. ”I had a lot of fun playing football. Probably why I’m out there, making a lot of plays —I’m just having fun. I’m not even thinking about making plays. I’m just thinking about having fun.”
Jadeveon Clowney Wants to Be Back
Clowney signed a bargain deal with the Cowboys, worth $3.5 million, and will likely need a raise to come back to the Cowboys. But he is still a one-year-at-a-time signing, aking him pretty palatable for the Cowboys to bring back.
“Oh yeah, if they’re willing to bring me back, but, yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m definitely gonna play,” Clowney said about 2026. ”I got a lot left in the tank. I ain’t gonna go sit on my couch. I’m gonna stay ready.
That means getting himself signed before the season starts this time around. “For sure, I’m trying to go to camp next year so I can get the rust off me and get going. I’m looking forward to it,” Clowney said.
Dak Prescott Advocating for a Cowboys Return
One guy who is in Clowney’s corner is Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who has been impressed by the veteran presence Clowney brought to the defense. Prescott advocated for the Cowboys bringing back Clowney next year.
“He’s a man. We’re fortunate to have him,” Prescott said on Thursday. “He’s one of those guys we have to figure out how to keep. Jadeveon being older, being the vet he is, has a lot of say-so.
“Hopefully we made the great impression and he has enjoyed this year because he is a guy that we can benefit having for a full offseason and just growing into next year with his leadership and the way he approaches the young guys and the things they can learn from him. He’s done it since he has showed up.”
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