Detroit Lions have a new edge rusher they can target in NFL free agency

The Detroit Lions are in desperate need of a veteran edge rusher for the spot across from Aidan Hutchinson and there's now a new option for the team in free agency.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Carolina Panthers are releasing former No. 1 overall draft pick, Jadeveon Clowney, after one season with the team. Fowler adds that the Panthers tried to trade Clowney during the draft, but to no avail.

Clowney has been a major disappointment during his career because of where he was drafted. The South Carolina product has tallied 58 sacks over 11 seasons, with 9.5 being his career high-water mark. He posted 5.5 with Carolina in 2024.

While Clowney isn't the sure thing the Lions need, he would still provide an upgrade over Marcus Davenport, the injury-prone veteran edge rusher who is currently penciled in to start in Detroit.

Clowney's 5.5 sacks from last season would've been the second-most on the Lions in 2024 behind Hutchinson, who played in just five games before suffering a broken tibia and fibula in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Getting an opportunity to play across from Hutchinson could propel Clowney to even better numbers, though, as he'd be freed up for a lot more one-on-ones with Hutchinson drawing so much attention on the other side.

Clowney was set to make $8.5 million in 2025 before his release, and assuming he costs around that much on the open market, he could be in play for Detroit from a financial standpoint.

General manager Brad Holmes admitted the Lions couldn't afford Za'Darius Smith's $11 million or so contract after the team cut him, so Clowney's lesser price tag might be more palatable for Detroit.

That said, work ethic concerns have followed Clowney since he was drafted, which might cause the Lions to balk at drafting him, as that kind of mentality is a terrible fit for the Lions' gritty, grind-it-out culture.

However, it wouldn't surprise us to see the Lions still take a chance on him considering their dire situation and 2025 Super Bowl aspirations.

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