The Baltimore Ravens have reached a deal with former No. 1 pick Jadeveon Clowney, the team announced Friday, providing much-needed experienced depth at outside linebacker.
The one-year deal is worth $2.5 million, but could rise to $6 million, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler.
Baltimore has shown a lot of interest in free agent edge rushers this summer. The Ravens previously met with Kyle Van Noy and Dawuane Smoot as well.
Clowney, who was picked first overall in 2014, received a contract offer from the Ravens on his visit Aug. 8 but left without signing a deal. He then visited the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
By joining the Ravens, Clowney reunites with Anthony Weaver, Baltimore’s assistant head coach and defensive line coach. Weaver worked with Clowney for three years when he was the defensive line coach for the Houston Texans.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Clowney has 43 career sacks, which is more than the current Ravens outside linebackers have in total (28.5).
The team is expected to rely on young edge rushers Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo this season but lacks proven backups behind them. With Tyus Bowser (non-football injury list) taking longer than anticipated to recover from a knee injury, Baltimore didn’t have an outside linebacker in practice who was older than 25.
Justin Houston, who led the Ravens with 9.5 sacks last season, signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Carolina Panthers earlier this month. Baltimore didn’t show much interest in retaining Houston, a source said.
Clowney, who turned 30 in February, played for the Cleveland Browns the past two seasons, signing back-to-back one-year contracts.
He had nine sacks in his first year in Cleveland in 2021 starting opposite All-Pro Myles Garrett. But Clowney had a disappointing season in 2022, finishing with only two sacks.
