The Carolina Panthers still need another pass rusher, and they’re still being linked to a hometown kid.
Former Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins general manager Rick Spielman was the latest to make the connection between the Panthers and Rock Hill, S.C. native Jadeveon Clowney. In his latest post for The 33rd Team, Spielman identifies the 30-year-old outside linebacker as a “key free agent” who should be signed—with Carolina as a potential fit:
A team that will surprise a lot of people is the Carolina Panthers, who have a whole new coaching staff. They also have a new franchise quarterback in Bryce Young and they have an excellent defense. Could you imagine Clowney lining up opposite Brian Burns? Burns is one of the most underrated pass rushers in the league.
Burns, who’s coming off his second straight Pro Bowl nod, is without a partner in crime off the edge—at least at the moment. The answer could be on the roster (shoutout to Dave Gettleman) with the likes of Marquis Haynes Sr., Yetur Gross-Matos and rookie DJ Johnson building cases this offseason.
If it’s not, Clowney is still there for the taking. The 2014 No. 1 overall pick hasn’t exactly stacked up the pass-rushing stats of late, posting just 11.0 sacks over the last three seasons, but can give the defense another option in its search for some much-needed firepower.
